Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira

Full steam ahead

Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira (British Independent Retailers Association), talks about making the most of footfall on the high street

Now it’s more important than ever to understand your customers and how to get them through your doors as we go into 2023.

It’s been a tough few months within the government, with the mini budget throwing the country off-track, the economy shrinking, interest rate hikes, and the inflation rate at the highest level for 41 years, coupled with a new Prime Minister taking the helm, along with a new Chancellor. All this uncertainty has left consumer confidence at an all-time low.

But if you think about it, as long-standing retailers, we have seen a lot of this before. We’ve been through recessions and had much higher interest rates (than today) and negative equity situations. Retailers have been through challenges in the past and have always found ways of coming through them. It’s easy to think that everything is against successful high street businesses. Yet we believe there are still opportunities for independent retailers.

There is every chance that this year, shoppers will be waiting for the New Year bargains that can be had. There is still strong support for local high streets. To make the most of this, the smaller retailers are really going to have to double down on telling their customers what they have, through all the communication channels available, from shop windows to social media.

Many indies understandably rejected Black Friday. However, there should still be some offers of sorts to get people talking about your store and business, with a focus on ways to bring them through your doors. I believe the focal point should be on your retailing skills. This is a competitive time of the year anyway, so do what you normally do to encourage people in, and then work hard on those ideas.

There’s no doubt people want to enjoy the New Year - and it’s likely that customers will be hitting the high street to snap up bargains. But it’s likely to be much later, and there’s going to be a lot of last-minute purchases going through. It’s all about being ready for that last-minute ‘rush’.

So make sure you post engaging social media content, send emails to your customers and, of course, ensure your store looks the very best it can be, and your window display is as inviting as possible. When a shop is presented at its finest, backed up by quality of service, it can be a winning combination - which will bring customers back again and again.

We really are keeping our fingers crossed for a healthy New Year for our high street retailers and would like to take this opportunity to wish them all a happy and profitable time.

Bira members visit Buckingham Palace

On November 16, up to 50 members of Bira were invited to Buckingham Palace to attend an evening event to recognise the contribution of small businesses to the UK economy.

Members from around the UK and from a wide variety of retail sectors attended and enjoyed an evening they will not forget, with many meeting King Charles III and/or Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.

Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre said: “This was a fantastic recognition for independent retailers and Bira in general. For those who also met the PHOTO: BCA King, I’m sure it will be a memory that will stay with them.”

One attendee was Gifts Today columnist Claire Leigh, owner of Two Ducks in Woking, who is a director on the board of Bira. She is pictured (middle) talking to Prince Edward with fellow Bira board member Hellen Small, owner of children’s store Small Stuff in Sheffield.

Claire said: “I felt incredibly privileged to be invited to Buckingham Palace. It was thrilling to walk through the front gates, go through the courtyard, and walk up the red carpet to one of the state rooms. I felt very honoured to meet not only King Charles III but the Earl of Wessex, as well as retail gurus (and my personal heroes) Mary Portas and Holly Tucker MBE [founder of small business online marketplace Not On The High Street and now Holly & Co, a hub for small businesses to gain advice and inspiration]. It was just the boost that my business, team, family and customers needed during these tough economic times!”.

Call: 0800 028 0245 Visit: www.bira.co.uk