Independent Retailer Month: Get Involved!

Independent Retailer Month in the UK is about 3 key aims:

• Encouraging consumers to shop local, to celebrate their favourite independent retailers, to remind themselves of the fantastic shops on their door-steps, and to vote with their feet if they really do want to save the high street!
• Encouraging independent retailers to create a buzz in July - to increase consumer engagement, footfall and sales. To let everyone know that they are celebrating Independent Retailer Month and that they are proud of the contribution their small business makes.
• Encouraging suppliers and all those who serve the independent retail sector to spread the word. To support the retailers in delivering in-store events and promotions, to add to the excitement, remembering that Independent Retailers are often a critical route to market for a wide range of product designers and producers.

There are so many ways to get involved - there are some ideas below.

Ways to Get Involved...

There is an unending list of ways to get involved... If you are stuck for ideas the global site - www.independentretailermonth.com - has a range of ideas and resources that are available to inspire you and enable retailers and their suppliers to create a buzz. In addition the UK logo is available for you to download via Flikr - Independent Retailer Month UK logos for download. These are in 3 formats - 2 sized for web and either on white or transparent backgrounds, 1 sized for print in large format. You can add these to posters, window graphics and your website... *(should you have any difficulties with this you can alternatively email us on champion@retailchampion.co.uk and we'll send you the logos as email attachments)

Anything's possible - let your imagination run wild! From fashion shows to pyjama parties, from tasting events to style make-overs. Ask your customers what they would enjoy... What would they tell their friends about and invite them along to?

What ever you do spread the word - take some video for our YouTube Channel - complete the sentence 'I love this shop because...', share your pictures on our facebook page, tell us what you are doing on the linkedin group, check out our twitter stream via #IndieRetail and add the hash tag to your tweets for all to see. You could even invite the local press and radio along to cover your story... the important thing is to make some noise, to get noticed and to celebrate independent retail throughout July!

Independent Retailer Month - How to get involved

How Independent Retailers can get involved...

• Download the Independent Retailer Month logo and place in your store window
• Check out the Ideas and Resources page for ideas about activities / promotions / events
• Send a newsletter to your shoppers announcing your participation in Independent Retailer Month and share any activities / promotions / events you will be hosting
• Contact local media and announce your involvement in Independent Retailer Month
• Engage your local Chamber of Commerce / FSB / BIDs / Other trade associations and ask them to help support the program, including as many local businesses as possible
• 'Like' us on our facebook page and share your images and news on our wall.
• 'Follow' us twitter via @IndieRetailUK so we can retweet your news and spread the word about what you'll be doing to celebrate Independent Retailer Month

How local shoppers and consumers can get involved...

• Pledge to shop locally (as much as practical) for the month of July to support your local independent retailers
• Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to find out whats happening in your area
• Join the fun and attend the activities / promotions / events
• Tell your friends to support the campaign too!

How suppliers to retail can get involved...

• Product Suppliers: Support your independent retail clients with promotions, visual merchandising, window features to really make a WOW of their stores in July (and to draw attention to YOUR products!)
• Service Providers: Help your local retailers in whatever way you can - perhaps providing resources, supporting with local PR, supporting with providing window posters / car stickers - whatever you can do to enable them to reach out to more consumers!

How press and media can get involved...

Press and media can support the independent retail businesses in their community by spreading the word about what Independent Retailer Month events, activities and promotions are happening and keeping consumers up to date as to what to look forward to in their local area throughout July. Please also see our press and media page.