Public called on to support independent retailers this 4 July

Public called on to support independent retailers this 4 July

Independent retail organisations are today calling on the British public to buy at least one item from a local, independent shop.

Independents’ Day 2012 sees Skillsmart Retail and the National Skills Academy for Retail team up with independent retailers and trade associations that represent over 12,000 small businesses to celebrate diversity on the High Street and encourage people to get behind their local stores.

According to the UK Data Company (April 2012), there are 171,495 independent retail businesses in the UK, where 91% employ fewer than 10 people. Nearly 24,000 shop units, or 14%, are currently empty in UK town centres.

But the retail organisations were quick to highlights a recent report, entitled Openings and Closures 2012, which found the “number of independents grew by 2.4% last year, with more than 15,000 opening – three times more than chains”. Beauty salons and nail bars increased by 16.5%. Other areas of expansion included fashion, autos and accessories, charity stores, pet retailers and pound shops.

Jane Rexworthy, director of Skills Solutions and head of the National Skills Academy for Retail, stated: “We are delighted to see so many retailers and town centres getting involved in the Independents’ Day campaign. We hope that all will take full advantage of the support available to them, whether that is training, mentoring or assistance in taking on additional staff through the new Retail Apprenticeship Training Agency (RATA).”

Global, month-long campaign

At the same time, July also marks Independent Retailer Month, a global ‘Shop Local’ campaign that highlights the important role smaller, local, independent retailers play in local communities and economies.

UK sponsor and till hardware vendor EposPartners encouraged independent retailers to tap into the current ‘feel good factor’ created by the recent extended bank holiday Jubilee weekend to the Euro 2012 football and the Olympics and drive up sales within their local communities.

EposPartners said it has worked with a number of independent retailers in recent months, including fashion outlet Abuze London, which opened its first ‘bricks and mortar’ store last year after ten years of trading online.

Jennie Knight, e-commerce manager at EposPartners, said: “The market is prime for a surge in independent retailing and that’s why we are encouraging independent retailers to team up with their neighbours and shout about what they have to offer, as the market has never been more prepared to turn away from the bustling high street and out of town shopping complexes and in favour of shopping locally.”