Independent Day Initiative

The beginning of next month, July 4th, consumers will be encouraged to buy one item from their local independent store in a bid to help keep British high streets alive.The ‘Independents Day’ initiative is the result of a collaboration between

Skillsmart Retail, The National Skills Academy for Retail and Mary ‘Queen of Shops’ Portas. Consumers are able to follow the campaign on Twitter.

Anne Seaman, chief executive of Skillsmart Retail, said: “We are delighted to lead this campaign and support small retailers. Raising awareness amongst the public is one of the biggest challenges smaller retailers face and our message is about encouraging the public to use their local high street and understand how important a diverse retail sector is.”

It comes on the back of a huge scale bid to help our flagging high street, with current figures showing 14.6% of retail outlets vacant. The Government has of course appointed Mary Portas to carry out its High Street Review.

Seaman added: “It is essential that local retailers understand that to compete today, they need to be on top of their game. The time for sitting back has passed and action is required.”

July will also see the UK launch of Independent Retail Month, a campaign aimed at celebrating the contribution that indies make to local communities. The brainchild of two US entrepreneurs, the UK campaign is being spearheaded by retail expert Clare Rayner, who is widely known as The Retail Champion, because of her commitment to helping retailers optimise their businesses.
Rayner believes that the only way to turn around the rising vacancy rates and bring some excitement back to the country’s high streets is by customers voting with their feet. “If we start to shop local, explore the diversity our high streets have to offer, then retailers will come back! I believe the independents will be the catalyst to change and one by one, step by step, the whole sector will see the benefit.” Indies can download posters and other marketing material by visiting www.independentretailermonth.co.uk.

FashionUnited will be talking to Clare Rayner later this month.