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Independent shops better than big retailers at surviving COVID in the UK

1 May 2024

Small shops have been more "agile" at fighting COVID sale slumps than chain stores, according to a new report.
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Bike shops and cyclists alike urged to gear up to take advantage of Local Bike Shop Day 2024

30 Apr 2024

The UK’s estimated 7.6 million cyclists are being urged to get on their bikes on Saturday May 4th and head down to their local independent bike shop, as many prepare special activities to... Read more…

Peterborough store selling solely local products looks to expand.

29 Apr 2024

A Peterborough store stocking products solely from local entrepreneurs said it is bucking the High Street trend and looking to expand due to its success.
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BIRA launches ‘High Street Matters’ podcast for independent retailers

29 Apr 2024

BIRA is giving independent businesses across the UK a powerful new resource with the launch of its “High Street Matters” podcast.
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Tesco accused of undercutting local shops via its wholesale business.

29 Apr 2024

The Guardian has reported independent shopkeepers saying prices they pay at Tesco’s cash-and-carry arm Booker are often higher than in Tesco’s stores.
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Get ready to celebrate independent Record Store Day

18 Apr 2024

Independent record stores around the country are preparing to celebrate all things vinyl for this year’s Record Store Day on Saturday April 20th. 
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Indies encouraged to put themselves forward for Retail Business of the Year award.

18 Apr 2024

BIRA, the British Independent Retailers Association, has announced its partnership with this year’s SME National Business Awards., joining the 2024 awards as a leading sponsor, backing... Read more…

Family-run Polesworth fish and chip shop celebrates 40 years in business with half-price chips.

18 Apr 2024

A Midlands fish and chip shop is celebrating 40 years in business and offering half-price chips to mark the milestone.
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Assault of shop workers to be made specific criminal offence

18 Apr 2024

Assaulting a shop worker is to be made a separate criminal offence in England and Wales as part of a government response to a wave of retail crime. 
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New stores helping Cardiff arcades buck retail trends.

18 Apr 2024

Eleven new businesses that have opened in the last year in the historic arcades of Cardiff city centre’s Morgan Quarter, made up of the Morgan and Royal arcades, have helped the arcades... Read more…

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Survey: How is the national living wage impacting on your business?

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News, Polls & Results

Increases to the National Living Wage has detrimental impacts on the UK's low-wage sectors, including retail, accommodation, food and administrative services.

ACS voice of local shops The 2018 National Living Wage survey, representing more than 3,000 stores, found that the latest increase in the National Living Wage had dire impacts. 75% of retailers reduced the number of staff hours in their business, 60% increased the number of hours they had to work to cover staff shortages, 39% had to reduce the number of staff employed in their business and 77% believe that the rate should not rise any higher than the rate of inflation.

The current National Living Wage rate is £8.21 for employees aged 25 and over, with a target to reach 60% of median wage earnings (£8.67) by 2020.

The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) is calling on retailers to respond to the National Living Wage Survey 2019.

The survey will not only help inform the ACS' submission to the Low Pay Commission's consultation on wage rates to apply in 2020/21 and the future path for the National Living Wage beyond 2020.

The results will also enable independent retail associations to highlight the impact the wage increases are having on the sector, such as delayed investment, reducing staff hours and changing pay structures directly from the evidence provided by retailers.

The survey can be completed via the link below. Responses must be submitted by the 3rd of May.

Take the survey

Thank you. 

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