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Crickhowell’s Book-ish crowned best independent bookshop in UK and Ireland

28 May 2024

 A Powys bookshop has been named as the best independent in the UK and Ireland.
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Election 2024: what does the indie retail sector want from the next government?

28 May 2024

With a general election just weeks away, Andrew Goodacre, CEO of the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has placed “reducing the cost of doing business” high on his... Read more…

Newcastle shop owner creates map to showcase area's independent businesses

28 May 2024

An indie shop owner in Ouseburn, Newcastle has created a map to showcase the area's independent businesses.
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Indie retailers urged to battle 2025 duty change

28 May 2024

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) is calling on independent retailers to keep writing to their MPs to highlight the impact of the upcoming February 2025 duty change.
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Retail industry key recruiter of people from under-utilised sections of society

15 May 2024

A new report released on behalf of the Retail Sector Council has outlined the work that the industry is doing to create more career opportunities for people that would otherwise be... Read more…

Teacher and ice-cream store manager move from Australia to take over Halifax indie bookshop.

14 May 2024

A family of booklovers are moving from Australia to become the new owners of an independent bookshop in Halifax.
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Global Payments Report says consumer choice not just influencing but dictating the future of commerce.

14 May 2024

Worldpay’s 2024 Global Payments Report has revealed a transformative shift where consumer choice is not just influencing but dictating the future of commerce.
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Competition and Markets Authority says grocers need to prioritise accurate pricing.

13 May 2024

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has called on grocers to prioritise accurate pricing following a review of the way in-store prices are displayed.
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Leicester indie retailers defend ‘special’ city centre after M&S announces closure.

13 May 2024

Independent businesses in Leicester have praised the “uniqueness” of the city and its "vibrant" atmosphere after the news that M&S was set to close drew a... Read more…

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.
Read more…

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Bira CEO addresses surge in retail crime on the BBC

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News

Bira's CEO, Andrew Goodacre, took the spotlight on BBC Breakfast this week and later spoke with Nicky Campbell on BBC Radio 5 Live, shedding light on the rise in retail crime and shop theft, particularly affecting independent retailers nationwide.

Andrew Goodacre

On BBC Breakfast, Mr Goodacre discussed the alarming impact of increasing retail crime on independent businesses. He highlighted the vulnerability of smaller retailers facing challenges that include not only financial losses but also the emotional toll on business owners.

"There is a fear, a real fear among large and small retailers that this problem could get bigger towards the end of the year." expressed Mr Goodacre.

During the interview, he shared insights into the lack of confidence in the police regarding retail crime affecting independent retailers, from shoplifting to vandalism.

"There is a real lack of confidence in police actions on those (types of incidents). Over the years there has been a real trend in people taking from shops being treated as a low priority and now we're paying the penalty for that," he said.

Later in the morning, he continued the conversation on BBC Radio 5 Live with Nicky Campbell. The radio interview delved deeper into the root causes of the surge in retail crime and explored potential solutions to safeguard independent retailers:

"This is a problem for large and small retail, there's no doubt that the cost of security people on doors is something that small retailers would struggle to afford. They employ more staff to keep an eye on stock and retailers are careful where they place their stock as well," he added.

 

"Some of the larger retailers have contributed around £800,000 to form a task force in Lyme with the Police and Crime Commissioners, looking at the role of organised crime and looking to dismantle that role, hopefully. We do know that the Government are prioritising this with the police forces as well, so there is action.  All that takes time and it's time that sometimes businesses don't have because they're affected by this every day.”

You can view the BBC Breakfast interview on catchup here and listen to the BBC Radio 5 Live interview here.

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