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Independent Retailer Month kicks off on July 1st, encouraging consumers to shop at their local independent shops throughout the period.
Supported by the likes of the British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) and the Federation of Small Businesses, the global ‘Shop Local’ campaign highlights the important role that smaller, local, independent retailers play in the communities they serve, the local economy they contribute to, and in the retail sector as a whole.
Independent shops can get themselves a free listing on the UK Shops directory – via www.independentretailermonth.co.uk/uk-shops
Free downloadable how to guides are available too – from www.independentretailermonth.co.uk/ideas-resources.
“The challenges to town centre retailing are many and pressing," said BIRA deputy CEO Michael Weedon. "While concentrating on the hard and very real disadvantages that independents face, such as parking, rates and planning, we know that helping shoppers recognise the enduring virtues of independents, which make up two in every three shops nationally, will bring them back to our towns – the original shopping centres.”
BIRA chief exec Alan Hawkins added: "We believe that independent retailers are the glue that holds many local communities together, giving them a real sense of place and a reason to be involved with their local area and high street. They bring choice, variety and real service that you only get from owner run businesses. Anything we can do to support Independent Retailer Month must be a top priority.”
Founded in the USA by Kerry Bannigan, Independent Retailer Month UK is led by Retail Champion Clare Rayner.
www.independentretailermonth.co.uk
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