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Pet Shop owner nominated for award for food bank donations

2 Sep 2024

Rebecca Harrington, owner of Purdy's pet shop in Coventry, has been nominated in the animal category at BBC CWR's Make a Difference awards for providing pet food parcels to food banks
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Standardised witness statement developed for retailers submitting CCTV evidence to the polic

2 Sep 2024

The National Business Crime Centre (NBCC), in collaboration with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and police forces, has developed a standardised witness statement for retailers submitting... Read more…

Sheffield’s new independent retail hub opens to the public

2 Sep 2024

A redeveloped Grade II* Listed hub in Sheffield has opened its doors to the public for the first time, providing a contemporary city centre hub for some of the city’s finest... Read more…

Government urged to protect independent retailers as part of living wage increases

2 Sep 2024

The national president of the Federation of Independent Retailers has written to the new secretary of state for business and trade, Jonathan Reynolds, to highlight the impact of higher wages on... Read more…

Barbers to test blood pressure to fight inequality

2 Sep 2024

Two barber shops in south London are offering customers free blood pressure tests to tackle undiagnosed health issues amongst black and Asian men.
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Bira welcomes recent Bank of England interest rate cut

14 Aug 2024

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has welcomed the Bank of England’s recent decision to cut interest rates from 5.25% to 5%.
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Community rallies around shop owner’s appeal after ‘devastating’ break-in

14 Aug 2024

A shop owner in Bramley, West Leeds, has thanked kind-hearted members of the community after her shop was targeted by burglars.
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National and local governments called on to invest in the repair of the retail sector after recent riots.

14 Aug 2024

The recent wave of civil unrest in the has dealt a severe blow to the UK retail sector, with high-street stalwarts and independent stores alike bearing the brunt of the violence.
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'You have to put in 110% to make a living' says independent retailer

14 Aug 2024

BBC Norfolk has highlighted small businesses calling for more support to help them increase their presence in the High Street.
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150 UK small business grants you could apply for right now

14 Aug 2024

If you need some funding for your small business, website smallbusiness.co.uk has produced a list of grants you could apply for, wherever you're based in the UK.
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Bira issues guide to protecting yourself against festive cyber scams

Posted on in Business News

In the age of online shopping, the pursuit of the best deals during the festive season is increasingly common. However, as consumers flock to virtual marketplaces, cybercriminals are seizing the opportunity to exploit vulnerabilities, leading to a surge in scams.

Cyber theft

Working with the West Midlands Cyber Resilience Centre (WMCRC), CDS Defence & Security, Bira has offered guidance to independent retailers on safeguarding against festive cyber scams.

Barclays conducted a study revealing a 22% surge in scams during the festive season, with an alarming £10 million lost to cybercriminals last year. Shockingly, 91% of the British public fails to verify the registration status of unknown companies on Companies House. The 25-34 age group remains the most vulnerable, facing an average loss of £970 per victim during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday period.

In detailed guidance on its website, Bira says scams to beware of include fake order scams; fake tracking numbers; phony websites; fake social media advertisements; fake charities; false discounts, and to be aware of texts and emails with hidden links that, when clicked, install malware on devices for the theft of personal information.

To stay protected, the guidance is to research products and suppliers before making purchases; verify the authenticity of sellers, especially when dealing with in-demand items; exercise caution with big discounts., and to identify potential phishing emails by checking the sender's email domain.

You are advised to report any suspicious activity to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), ActionFraud, or Citizens Advice to contribute to the collective effort against fraud and cybercrime.

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