British Independent Retailers Association
This coverage examines the British Independent Retailers Association’s (Bira) role in supporting and advocating for independent retailers across the UK. Reporting focuses on Bira’s policy interventions on issues such as business rates, employment law, and retail crime; its collective legal actions, including the £1bn damages claim against Amazon; and its provision of business services like legal advice, insurance, and supplier partnerships. Insights are tailored for retail executives, policy stakeholders, and professionals navigating the challenges and opportunities within the independent retail sector.
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Aug- 2025 -14 AugustHigh Street
Nearly half of indie retailers report Q2 sales decline, BIRA finds
Nearly half (46%) of Britain’s independent retailers reported lower sales in the second quarter of 2025 compared with the same period last year, according to new figures from the British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA). The decline was attributed to a squeeze on household budgets and falling consumer confidence as key…
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8 AugustHigh Street
Criminals exploiting weak trading enforcement, Bira warns
The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has warned that a collapse in trading standards enforcement is allowing criminal operators to undermine legitimate businesses. The warning follows a new investigation by consumer group Which?, which found that 36 trading standards services reported no criminal prosecutions in the 2023–24 financial year. Some…
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May- 2025 -13 MayFeatures
What does the new Employment Rights Bill mean for retailers?
The Employment Rights Bill, slated for major implementation in autumn 2026, is being hailed by the government as a bold step forward for workers’ rights. But for the retail sector – a cornerstone of the UK economy that employs over three million people – the swift nature of the proposed…
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Mar- 2025 -31 MarchFeatures
Spring Budget 2025: what it means for the retail industry
The UK retail sector has been navigating a volatile economic landscape, with rising operational costs, shifts in consumer spending, and policy changes placing unprecedented pressure on businesses. The Spring Budget 2025, delivered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, was highly anticipated by industry leaders, who had hoped for measures that would alleviate…
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Feb- 2025 -26 FebruaryEconomy
Bira ‘cautiously’ backs govt Crime and Policing Bill
The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has “cautiously” welcomed the new Crime and Policing Bill but demands more immediate action and concrete funding to address the retail crime crisis affecting British high streets. The bill, which was presented to Parliament on 25 February, contains over 50 measures including stricter penalties…
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Jan- 2025 -20 JanuaryNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-20/1/25
Quiz is reportedly considering closing up to a third of its 60 stores as part of a restructuring effort to stabilise its business amid mounting financial pressures. The company is set to delist from the AIM market and return to private ownership following a shareholder vote earlier this month. Restructuring…
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20 JanuaryNews
Bira calls for gov action following ‘disappointing’ December sales
The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) is calling for urgent government intervention following “disappointing” December retail figures, which show sales volumes fell by 0.3% following a modest 0.1% rise in November 2024. The figures, released by the BRC on Friday (17 January), revealed that while non-food stores such as clothing…
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Dec- 2024 -2 DecemberFeatures
What is the Retail Crime Bill and its implications for retailers?
The UK Retail Crime Bill, introduced in the 2024 King’s Speech, is a legislative response to the rise in retail crime, including theft, organized retail theft, and assaults on shopworkers. The bill represents a step forward in addressing the financial, operational, and emotional toll retail crime has on businesses, employees,…
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Oct- 2024 -31 OctoberEconomy
Budget reaction: Retail warns that higher costs will hamper investment
The retail industry has warned that increased costs following the Autumn Budget may hit businesses hard, with retailers facing higher costs amid new measures that come into place next April, with some warning the sector will face over £2.5bn in new costs in 2025.Yesterday, chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a series…
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Aug- 2024 -30 AugustSupermarkets
ACS warns of instances of smaller stores buying stolen goods from shoplifters
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has reported that some smaller shops are buying stolen goods from professional shoplifters who work for criminal gangs, according to The Guardian. It comes as ACS members have experienced “very brazen and direct” incidents of shoplifting, with the typical items targeted being meat, cheese…
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