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Best Small Shops' "Meet the Innovators" series kicks off with Jacobs the Jewellers following their successful reopening

15 Jul 2020

Our ‘Meet the Innovators' series will highlight some of the small shops that did something special during this difficult time, starting with Jacobs the Jewellers, who are based in Reading.... Read more…

IRC creates Independent Retailers Rent Survey

15 Jul 2020

Complete the survey now to help inform our lobbying with Government, provide us with an idea of what is happening across the market and bringsome much needed media attention to the plight of... Read more…

Government funding announcement perfectly timed with ACA new apprenticeship standard launch

9 Jul 2020

With the additional Government funding and Activate Cycle Academy's launch of a brand new apprenticeship standard for bicycle mechanics there has never been a better time to take on an... Read more…

CMA's Digital Markets Taskforce call launched

8 Jul 2020

The Competition and Markets Authority is leading a Digital Markets Taskforce to provide advice to the Government on the potential design and implementation of pro-competitive measures for... Read more…

Mental health in independent retail

8 Jul 2020

Coronavirus is clearly having a huge impact on retail workers but one ofthe impacts that is often overlooked is its effect on the mental wellbeing of those working in our stores.
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Government Response Call for Evidence on Violence and Abuse towards shop staff

7 Jul 2020

The Government has now published its response to the Call for Evidence on Violence and Abuse towards shop staff which closed in June 2019.
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Best Small Shops competition 2020 relaunched with new COVID-19 innovation category

2 Jul 2020

Innovative indie retailers who adapt their business to combat the impact of Covid-19 are to be recognised in a special category in Britain's Best Small Shops competition 2020
Read more…

Business and Planning Bill published in the House of Commons

2 Jul 2020

The Government has published the Business and Planning Bill in the Houseof Commons designed to make provision relating to the promotion of economic recovery and growth.
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The Maybe* 2020 Retail Report investigating what shoppers want

1 Jul 2020

To gauge the intentions of the British public, Maybe* has gathered 20,000 answers from regions across the UK to understand if and when they'll return to the shops, and what their concerns... Read more…

The continued effects of lockdown on UK shoppers

24 Jun 2020

Recent research has investigated how consumer behaviour has developed over the past few months as people have adapted their shopping styles tothe lockdown
Read more…

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Best Small Shops competition 2020 relaunched with new COVID-19 innovation category

Posted on in Cycles News

Innovative indie retailers who adapt their business to combat the impact of Covid-19 are to be recognised in a special category in Britain's Best Small Shops competition 2020.

 

The Independent Retailers' Confederation (IRC), a group of multi-sector trade organisations representing over 100,000 indie retailers throughout the UK, has announced a special category in its search to find Britain's Best Small Shop of 2020.

The Best Small Shops Competition relaunches post lockdown on Independents' Day, Saturday 4th July, celebrating the return of Indie Retail to UK high streets and shopping parades. The judges will be seeking entries from independents that are demonstrating specific innovation to combat the impact of COVID-19 in a new award category sponsored by booost, the loyalty, gifting and promotions app.

"It is widely recognised just how challenging it has been for many independent retailers during the months of Covid-19 lockdown - those who have had to close their doors and those considered essential who were able to trade throughout. The pandemic has not only brought about challenges such as reduced income but also extensive complexities resulting in the evident need for re-invention" explains Mark Walmsley, Chair of the IRC.

"We have witnessed and continue to see extraordinary examples of innovation and ingenuity in being able to adapt a business to continue trading in some form. This is unsurprising, given the agility and commitment of independent retailers to their local communities and, in this extraordinary year, it is something we are determined to recognise and celebrate."

The annual competition highlights the best of Britain's independent retail sector, celebrating the commitment and creativity of independent retailers and the central role they play in their local communities. Previous winners have included Bristol-based delicatessen Papadeli, the 2019 winner, and The Mainstreet Trading Company, a combined bookshop, café, deli & homeware shop based in St Boswells, in the rural Scottish Borders, which won in 2018.

"Despite the challenging retail environment, there is bountiful evidence that people value and believe it is important to support their local independent retailers," adds Walmsley. "These shops are at the heart of communities up and down the country, offering a meeting place, not to mention choice, diversity, innovation and genuine customer service."

Entries for all award categories in this year's competition close on September 11th.

 

Enter the Best Small Shops competition now

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