17 Bira.qxp_23 30/03/2020 12:47 Page 2
Bira’s Covid-19 response
I
write to you this issue in truly exceptional and unprecedented circumstances. We are responding to the outbreak of coronavirus - a global pandemic - and these are certainly unforeseen, uncertain and troubling times for small independent retailers. First and foremost, I must assure you we are taking our responsibilities to respond to Covid-19 very seriously. Looking after our members, the team at Bira, and the wider independent retail community is our top priority. In doing so, I am keeping abreast of all the latest Government information. As this edition of Progressive Housewares goes to press, I am expecting a phone call from someone at the Treasury to discuss further the help on offer to independent retailers. We have campaigned for more emergency funds for small businesses and we are pleased the Government listened, announcing its enhanced bailout package. Measures include the temporary abolition of business rates for all retailers, and grants for the smallest retailers. However, we are now demanding those funds are made immediately available to reverse the effects of already-reduced trade (see News). In the meantime, I urge members and non-members to visit the Bira website, which has launched a new coronavirus hub featuring all the latest news and advice from the Government and our expert partners. The information in hub is regularly updated throughout the day, every day, as the situation unfolds, so please be sure to keep revisiting the Bira website as well as sharing it with other retailers. We need to come together to help each other through the coming weeks and months. We know that many of you are trying to maintain ‘business as usual’ while implementing strict hygiene measures to reflect the current climate. We hope this will be for as long as possible and that your communities will continue to support you through these uncertain times. Here at Bira’s headquarters in Birmingham, we are doing all we can to delay the spread of Covid-19. We are closely following Government advice for England and have introduced stringent hygiene procedures. We are also facilitating our staff to work from home as much as possible. I hope this provides you with some reassurance. Please visit the Bira coronavirus hub at www.bira.co.uk/coronavirus
Andrew Goodacre, ceo, Bira
Jarrold’s pop-up shop Jarrold of Norwich (gia UK winner and Excellence in Housewares Awards’ Best Department Store – Independent, and Bira member) set up a pop-up Corner Shop within the store to help customers buy essentials such as loo rolls and cleaning materials. The store also donated supplies of toilet roll to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Charity. “We are trying to help our local community as much as we can at the moment,“ confirmed housewares and deli manager Chris Parsons (on March 20). “We have also started Above: Jarrold has been doing takeaway meals for people to helping customers get the take home and freeze since the shops essentials that are selling are empty.” He added: “We are now out in many supermarkets. looking into the possibility of doing Left: Jarrold’s nostalgic loo essential parcel deliveries for those roll advertisement from isolating and working in hospitals.“ the 1920s. Recognising the importance of some humour (and nostalgia) to buoy up spirits during challenging times, Jarrold recently used Twitter to announce it had a supply of loo roll alongside one of the historic department store’s 1920s posters advertising toilet tissue (which offered ‘special prices for bulk quantities’!). *As the current UK gia (Global Innovation Award) winner, Jarrold has been invited to The Inspired Home Show 2021, where it will receive its national gia trophy. John Adams, Jarrold’s trading and marketing director said that it is “lovely to have this to look forward to 2021!”
PROGRESSIVE
17
HOUSEWARES
Indies rally to help Many Bira cookshop and housewares members have been rallying to help and serve their local communities during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as support fellow local independents. Twitter and Instagram have seen a hive of activity with independent retailers using the platforms to spearhead initiatives to raise the profile of local retailers or community support groups. Hargreaves & Sons in Buxton encouraged people to support local independent retailers. It joined with other independent retailers in the community to offer customers 10% off their next purchase from a range of other shops including fellow Bira member, jewellery shop Jantar. The store closed on March 21 but is keeping in touch with customers via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and emails, Messenger and via its phoneline. Hargreaves is continuing to offer personal free delivery to customers who are self-isolating within a five-mile radius of the shop. Frankie & Jonny’s Cookshop in York has been helping to promote the ‘Bishy Road Volunteers’ network - a local initiative to help vulnerable people who are in self-isolation. The cookshop announced its temporary closure on March 22, prompted by a problem with its broadband provider and the need to minimise cash handling. Richard Dare Cookshop and sister store Prep Cookshop in London’s Primrose Hill used its social media platforms to promote fellow independent retailers, and – with the two stores having closed until further notice from March 21 - continue to offer to help customers that need something. Meanwhile Coconut & Cotton, a plastic-free homewares store in Dorset (and online), has been offering a free local refill delivery service for its soaps, hand sanitiser and cleaning products. “It is good to see that even during challenging times our members are being resilient and creative.”