TODAY is US Independence Day but for small shops it’s also Independents’ Day. The event has been organised by Skillsmart Retail and the National Skills Academy for Retail to persuade shoppers to buy at least one item today from their local independent retailer.
The aim of the day is to celebrate diversity on the high street and showcase what small shops and their owners have to offer – often as the accountant, sales assistant, buyer and often everything in between for their business.
Skillsmart Retail chief executive, Anne Seaman, said: “Raising awareness among the public is one of the biggest challenges smaller retailers face and our message is about encouraging the public to use their local high street and understand how important a diverse retail sector is.
“It’s also essential that local retailers understand that to compete today they need to be top of their game. The time for sitting back has passed and action is required: your high street needs you.”
The day is also being backed by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), which has itself highlighted importance of the local high street in its Keep Trade Local campaign. It is also urging the Government to take action through the Portas Review, which is being carried out by shopping guru Mary Portas.
Pauline Osborne, North East FSB regional chairman, said: “As the high street continues to face some serious challenges from out of town shopping centres and supermarkets more must be done to help the local high street survive.
“As a first step the FSB in the North East fully supports the Independents’ Day campaign and is urging the public to purchase at least one item from the local high street on July 4.
“This will help raise the profile of the fantastic diversity the high streets in the North East can offer and the crucial role they play in the local community.”
A recent survey by the Local Data Company revealed that high street vacancies have started to rise again. It looked at 2,700 out of around 4,440 retail destinations in the UK and found that around 14.6% of shops are standing empty. That equates to around 50,000 closed shops.
Organisers of National Independents’ Day have gone hi-tech to promote traditional high street shopping via social media websites Facebook and Twitter. Shop owners were also able to download their own promotional packs online.
Raising awareness among the public is one of the biggest challenges smaller retailers face