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UK bike sales hit 20-year low but long-term outlook remains positive

22 Feb 2023

The Annual Market Data Report for 2022 from The Bicycle Association (BA) reports annual cycle sales in the UK fell to 1.88 million units in 2022, a 20-year low, 27% below pre-COVID levels in... Read more…

Nottingham revealed as UK’s best spot for homebuyers who want a thriving indie retail scene

13 Feb 2023

New research by estate agent comparison site, GetAgent.co.uk, has analysed the number of independent shops found across 15 major UK cities to find which presented the most independent retail... Read more…

New data reveals the most and least expensive retail rental areas in the UK

13 Feb 2023

New data from insolvency specialists Real Business Rescue, which analysed current commercial retail listings to find the most and least expensive areas in the UK for business owners to open... Read more…

Tackling retail crime a priority, says Policing Minister

13 Feb 2023

The Policing Minister Chris Philp has said that tackling retail crime is a priority.
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The 1975 named as ambassadors for this year’s Record Store Day

13 Feb 2023

Record Store Day has unveiled indie rock band The 1975 as this year’s RSD ambassadors.
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Bike prices predicted to fall in 2023 due to excess stock, but not across the board

6 Feb 2023

Predictions of a slowdown in demand for bikes may contribute to an industry-wide decrease in prices, with the Bicycle Association reporting UK bike sales down by a quarter against Covid levels.
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Nearly two thirds of consumers committed to sustainability despite cost-of-living pressures

2 Feb 2023

A new report from Shopify has shown that sustainability conscious shopping is on the rise. Consumer interest in green products has remained robust, despite inflation and other economic... Read more…

Shop price inflation hits record heights & peak is yet to arrive

2 Feb 2023

Shop prices have reached record highs after inflation accelerated in January, with a warning that the peak is yet to arrive.
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Proposed deposit return scheme could put strain on indie retailers

2 Feb 2023

A new deposit return scheme announced by the Government to make it easier for people to recycle plastic bottles and drink cans will put a strain on independent retailers, according to industry... Read more…

Shop occupancy rates improve despite cost-of-living crisis

30 Jan 2023

The number of shops lying vacant on British high streets fell during the final three months of 2022, despite pressure on both companies and consumers from the rising cost of living.
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IRC backs ‘Colour Friday’ alternative to Black Friday sales

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News

The IRC has joined bira and other retail trade associations in backing the ‘Colour Friday’ alternative to this week’s Back Friday sales.

The ‘Colour Friday’ initiative was first orchestrated by the UK Ambassador for Creative Small Businesses, Holly Tucker MBE, as a way of encouraging people to choose shopping at small independent businesses over impulse buying from big online retail giants in the annual ‘Black Friday’ sales. At the time of writing, nearly 2,800 small businesses and consumers have listed their support.

Colour Friday

It goes without saying that the pressure to participate in Black Friday affects independent retailers across the UK. The expectation to offer Black Friday discounts are high, but the incentives can be low with the current rises in inflation and energy prices.

On her website, Holly mentions that:

·       In a recent poll, half of UK small business owners said they’re genuinely concerned that this will be their last Christmas trading.

·       Carbon emissions generated from Black Friday online sales alone are equivalent to 215 flights from London to Sydney?

·       89% of shoppers reported finding Black Friday highly stressful?

·       A quarter of Brits surveyed said they regretted their Christmas Black Friday buys.

bira recently conducted a survey asking its members to share their thoughts on Black Friday, and whether they knew of any alternatives. A resounding majority told them no, so, like bira, the IRC wanted to bring attention to a different initiative you can take part in.

You can find out more here.

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