Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Britain’s Best Small Shops Competition 2020 to honour top indie stores during coronavirus

The Independent Retailers’ Confederation (IRC), has announced a special category in its annual Britain’s Best Small Shop of 2020 competition to find the best store that has adapted to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Best Small Shops Competition will relaunch on ‘Independents’ Day’, (Saturday 4th July), to honour the return of the independent retail industry to UK high streets and shopping centres.


Judges will be seeking entries from independents that are demonstrating specific innovation to combat the impact of coronavirus in a new award category sponsored by booost, the gifting and promotions app.

The IRC is a group of multi-sector trade organisations representing over 100,000 indie retailers throughout the UK.

Mark Walmsley, Chair of the IRC, said: “It is widely recognised just how challenging it has been for many independent retailers during the months of Covid-19 lockdown – those who have had to close their doors and those considered essential who were able to trade throughout.

“The pandemic has not only brought about challenges such as reduced income but also extensive complexities resulting in the evident need for re-invention.”

The annual competition highlights the best of Britain's independent retail sector, celebrating the commitment and creativity of independent retailers and the central role they play within their communities.

Previous winners have included Bristol-based delicatessen Papadeli in 2019,and The Mainstreet Trading Company, a combined bookshop, café, deli & homeware shop in St Boswells, Scotland, which won in 2018.

“Despite the challenging retail environment, there is bountiful evidence that people value and believe it is important to support their local independent retailers,” added Mr Walmsley. “These shops are at the heart of communities up and down the country, offering a meeting place, not to mention choice, diversity, innovation and genuine customer service.”

Entries for all award categories in this year’s competition close on Friday, September 11th.

For more information about the Best Small Shops competition, click here.

More for you

Sugro UK partners with Britvic to launch industry-first sample box

Sugro UK partners with Britvic to launch industry-first sample box

Leading wholesale buying and marketing group Sugro UK has collaborated with Britvic Soft Drinks, a global organisation with 39 much-loved brands sold in over 100 countries, to launch a groundbreaking Fast Food Sample Box.

The sample box is specifically designed for ICS UK LTD customers, giving them a unique opportunity to sample and experience new Fast Food soft drinks offerings firsthand.

Keep ReadingShow less
Plant-based ready meal

Plant-based ready meal brand on brink of collapse

British plant-based ready meal maker Allplants has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators, citing ongoing financial losses, stated recent reports.

Allplants, known as the UK’s largest vegan ready meal brand, has faced mounting losses over recent years. Filing the notice provides the company with a critical window to explore options to avoid liquidation, such as restructuring, refinancing, or negotiating a sale.

Keep ReadingShow less
sottish retail-wholesale

Scottish retail-wholesale figure celebrated at University of Stirling graduation

Entrepreneur and businessperson Stanley Morrice, an influential figure in the retail and wholesale sectors, received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Stirling at Stirling’s winter graduation held today (22).

Stanley, from Fraserburgh, is being recognised for his services to Scottish food, drink and agriculture. He entered the sector as a school leaver. In 1993, he joined Aberdeen-based convenience stores Aberness Foods, which traded as Mace. He rose to become Sales Director, boosting income by 50 per cent and tripling profits, and went on to be Managing Director, successfully leading the business through a strategic sale to supermarket group Somerfield.

Keep ReadingShow less
consumer cheer
iStock image
iStock image

Consumers cheer up as Budget nerves lift: GfK

British consumers have turned less pessimistic following the government's first budget and the US presidential election and they are showing more appetite for spending in the run-up to Christmas, according to a new survey.

The GfK Consumer Confidence Index, the longest-running measure of British consumer sentiment, rose to -18 in November, its highest since August and up from -21 in October which was its lowest since March.

Keep ReadingShow less
Retail Sales
Photo: iStock

Retail sales take bigger-than-expected hit in October

British retail sales fell by much more than expected in October, according to official data that added to other signs of a loss of momentum in the economy in the run-up to the first budget of prime minister Keir Starmer's new government.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said sales volumes have fallen by 0.7 per cent in October. A Reuters poll of economists had forecast a monthly fall of 0.3 per cent in sales volumes from September.

Keep ReadingShow less