{$inpagemarkup}

Search News

Results: 1-10 of 575


Independent retailers warn Spring Statement missed opportunity as geopolitical tensions threaten high street recovery

5 Mar 2026

ACT parent company Bira has warned that the Chanellor's Spring Statement offered no new support for high street businesses, as rising tensions in the Middle East threaten to push up energy... Read more…

Scottish bike shop and cafe expands into bigger premises as council recognises 'positive impact on economy'

3 Mar 2026

A Scottish bike repair shop and cafe has recently moved premises into a bigger unit thanks to a growth in business, with the local council noting the positive impact it would have on the local... Read more…

Local Bike Shop Week returns this May, with independent retailers reporting strong benefits from past events

19 Feb 2026

Local Bike Shop Week is approaching, with this year’s celebrations taking place from Sunday 3 May to Saturday 9 May 2026 - and retailers have highlighted the positive experiences they've... Read more…

Independent bike shops unite for inaugural Local Bike Shop Week celebration

17 Feb 2026

A week to celebrate and highlight the expertise and passion of independent bike shops across the UK is set to be held this May.
Read more…

ACT part of coalition letter calling for consultation on online VAT reform

16 Feb 2026

A 18-strong coalition of business organisations and tax experts, including the ACT and led-by its parent company Bira, has today written to the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury calling for a... Read more…

Government's pub-only business rates package is "poor decision based on politics", ACT parent company Bira says

29 Jan 2026

The government's decision to give pubs a 15% business rates discount while excluding independent retailers is a "poor decision based on politics rather than what is good for the local economy",... Read more…

Independent retailers demand equal treatment as Government prepares pub rates relief

9 Jan 2026

ACT parent company Bira has has demanded equal treatment for small shops after the government announced plans to water down business rate rises for pubs.
Read more…

Christmas and New Year message from ACT Director Jonathan Harrison

23 Dec 2025

An end of year message from Jonathan Harrison, Director of the ACT.
Read more…

Scottish Government urged to cut business rates for indie retailers

11 Dec 2025

ACT parent company Bira has called on the Scottish Government to follow Wales's example and introduce genuine business rates reductions for retail premises ahead of the Scottish Budget on 13... Read more…

Independent retailers to see rates bills soar by up to 15% despite government's "transformation" promises

2 Dec 2025

Independent retailers across the UK are facing business rates increases of up to 15% next year despite government promises of the "lowest tax rates since 1991", ACT parent company Bira has... Read more…

Back to news menu

Reinventing yourself to succeed

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News

business success The High Street isn't failing, it is buoyant and flourishing.

What is failing are the businesses without a plan, without innovation and without drive.

As businesses, you want to go back to the basics; product, price and people.

You want to reinvent yourself and your business through your people. People are the most important asset of a business.

Today:

  • Drive commercial layout
  • Drive innovation
  • Drive a confident team

You want to drive sales through the shop floor layout, drive sales with an engaged team and drive your sales through innovation and new initiatives.

Drive commercial layout

Today's customer demands an exciting experience, they want to shop in an interesting environment that is memorable.
Visual merchandising is important, so start increasing your sales through improved £££ per square foot. Think about point of sale (POS)! Your shop's entrance should be a best seller or non-distressed offer. Your entrance should change every couple of days because it's what people notice first.

Footfall numbers in today's day and age aren't as important as conversion rates based on a target. Footfall is something you can only influence to an extent. Make targets, meet targets and then drive those targets higher and higher.

Drive innovation

Visual merchandising, hotspots, themes and focal points are your key to best sellers. There are key focal points around your stores so utilise them in the best way.

hotspots 

Drive a confident team

Your team is the most important asset to your business.

Give your team goals and reward their success.

Start small and think about bringing your sales up by 10-20% and grow from there.

You want to invest in your staff. That could be through ideas or incentives but get your staff out into the store rather than behind the till, engaging with customers about the products they are passionate about.

One of the biggest things that stores fall short on is the add-on sale. Start communicating with your customers, a lot of customers don't randomly wander into stores, they are there for a reason even if that reason is merely curiosity.

The add-on sale is a forgotten version of sales, every fifth person says yes. The add-on sale isn't about being pushy but rather about communicating and serving the customer.

You want to reinvent yourself and your business all the time.

This doesn't mean changing what you sell but changing how you sell

 

 

Back to news menu

Useful links

If you have any other queries please contact us.