The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has launched a new trading platform for ‘indies’.
The website will provide independent retailers with a new, cost-effective way to sell online, helping them build their presence both locally and nationally.
“The UK-wide platform open to all types of retail is owned by indies, exclusively for indies, and will operate at significantly lower sales commission than its competitors,” said Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre.
“Developed in the wake of the pandemic, which resulted in at least one in five independents closing for good, the nationally-advertised platform offers indies the chance to rebuild and grow their business on a platform designed for them.
“This platform will complement their physical store and help indies move to a ‘hybrid’ model of retailing.”
The website also maximises consumers’ growing thirst to shop locally and independently, guaranteeing that money spent within a community remains there.
Finishing touches are currently being made to the website and it is scheduled to launch at the start of this month, when its name will also be revealed.
“The pandemic has accelerated shopping behaviours, with more use of the internet and people also shopping more locally,” Andrew said. “This platform, owned by independents, addresses both of those societal changes and will allow these retailers to open up new ways of selling to customers, and more profitably.
“Bira wants to help independent retailers achieve their ambitions.”
