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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…

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…

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From Cash to Contactless – IRC Leads Study on Payment Trends in Retail

Posted on in Business News

The Independent Retailers Confederation (IRC) will be working with key financial institutions within the UK to gauge the shift in retail payments.

card machine

The IRC has partnered with UK Finance, HM Treasury, Bank of England, The Royal Mint and Link, to identify how cash is valued in the Retail SME community compared to the many other forms of payments available.

The insights gathered from this survey will play a pivotal role in understanding the evolving payment landscape. A potential decrease in cash usage among consumers and the retail sector would indicate a shift towards cards, contactless transactions, account-to-account transfers, cryptocurrencies, and other emerging payment methods.

The result of this survey could result in a dramatic impact on both businesses and consumers in reshaping the way transactions are conducted and influencing daily life in significant ways.

John Halliday, from the Independent Retailers Confederation, said: “We can clearly see the impact the pandemic and technological development has had on the variety of ways people pay for goods and services.   So much so that now even cash appears at risk of being demoted in place of contactless payments, account-to-account transactions, digital currency, and more.”

He added: “To ensure the Retail SME community is prepared for the years ahead, we’re urging all retail businesses to provide us with the vital information needed to inform relevant bodies and agencies what businesses and their local communities need now and in the future.”

The survey, which is anonymous, contains 27 questions and will take just six minutes to complete.

The IRC is urging shop owners to help protect and prepare the sector and local communities for the years ahead by contributing to this important research by clicking here.

The survey will run until Monday, 31st August 2023, and results will be revealed shortly afterwards.

The Independent Retailers Confederation (IRC) will be working with key financial institutions within the UK to gauge the shift in retail payments.

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