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Public vote opens for inaugural Local Bike Shop Awards

24 Apr 2026

Cycling enthusiasts across the UK are being invited to vote for their favourite independent bike shop as the first ever Local Bike Shop Awards enters its final stage.
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Local Bike Shop Week Awards: Meet the Judges

19 Apr 2026

From our many brilliant entries down to 8 finalists, the judging panel will be evaluating and championing independent bike shops up and down the country that make an impact in their... Read more…

Independent bike shops urged to enter inaugural awards as deadline approaches

16 Apr 2026

The ACT is urging independent bike shops to enter the first ever Local Bike Shop Awards before entries close on Sunday 19th April.
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First ever Local Bike Shop Week Awards launches to celebrate independent cycle retailers

1 Apr 2026

An awards scheme celebrating independent bike shops that go above and beyond for their communities launches this week.
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February retail sales dip signals growing consumer anxiety, warns ACT parent company Bira

30 Mar 2026

ACT parent company Bira has warned that falling retail sales in February are an early sign of consumers reining in their spending amid growing economic uncertainty.
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Bira calls for business rates reform and action on overseas imports alongside new government investment

26 Mar 2026

Bira has welcomed the government's £319 million investment in high street revitalisation, while warning that without reform of business rates and action on overseas imports, many high... Read more…

Chancellor's High Street Roundtable | Campaign Update from ACT parent company Bira

19 Mar 2026

The Chancellor held a roundtable discussion on a future high street strategy last week, with Bira the sole voice representing smaller retail businesses. Read an update on Bira's place at a... Read more…

Independent bike shop takes stand against selling or repairing e-scooters with police echoing plea

18 Mar 2026

An independent bike shop is refusing to sell or repair e-scooters over concerns about how they are being used, with the area’s police force backing the call and urging others to follow... Read more…

ACT parent company Bira backs calls for online marketplace accountability over dangerous product safety failures

13 Mar 2026

Findings from consumer rights publication Which? add to calls from the E-Bike Positive campaign to better scrutinise these sites and promote quality e-bikes from reputable manufacturers and... Read more…

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…

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How retailers are responding to online growth

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News

street shopsAmazon is set to take 19.8% of the UK online retail market within the next five years.

The growth of the online market space within retail is having a wider effect on the high street. According to a report from the ONS, there is a decline in retail businesses and jobs that is balanced by a rise in residential housing and in restaurants.

This should not necessarily be seen as a negative effect as it is making the high streets more rounded, this rebalancing of the high street could give more people reasons to come to the high streets, not only to buy, but also to eat and to live.

For independent retailers, moving into the online market space is not always the answer especially if you are putting the customer at the centre of your business model. Independent retailers and larger corporate retailers are not the same, the customers are different, the products and services are different and the culture is different.

By understanding what a customer wants and needs, a business can then develop and rebuild the business model to the customer.

Loyalty programmes and schemes are becoming more and more popular among retailers, however, these loyalty schemes are not targeted at independent retailers. booost is the only scheme that is created solely for independent retailers. But, it is more than just a loyalty scheme, it is a three-in-one app that offers loyalty, gifting and promotions.

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