Monday February 4 2019 THE NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM, BIRMINGHAM
comment ANDREW GOODACRE Chief Executive Officer of bira (British Independent Retailers Association) On the Board
based in Birmingham and inevitably there is some time in the office. However, I’m happiest when I’m out and about visiting members or talking to key government departments about providing the support that independent retail businesses need.
What's your background? Since 2009 I’ve worked for three national membership associations: FSB (Federation of Small Businesses), Residential Landlords Association (as chief executive officer) and now bira (British Independent Retailers Association). I enjoy working with membership groups because there is a real sense of shared purpose to help members be successful.
Tell us a bit about bira. Bira is 100 years old this year, which shows we have been around for some time. Bira’s core foundation is built on the merger of two other associations: British Hardware Federation (BHF) and BSSA (British Shops & Stores Association).
Although bira has changed over the years, our
ethos remains as strong as ever – and that is, to help retailers be successful in business. To do this, we offer beneficial services at beneficial rates to members. We provide free access to a legal helpline for all members, discounted rates for insurance and card payments, as well as a whole host of vital information for retailers. Finally, we represent independent retailers with our campaigns and lobbying work, so that central and local governments don’t forget about the importance of a thriving high street.
What’s your working week like? One of the great things about my role is that there is no such thing as a typical working week. We are
What’s keeping you busy? The pace of change impacting the high street! It has never been more challenging for independent retailers, and bira has to be an agile organisation that is on the front foot with regards to the support and help that it’s giving to its members.
independent retailers ”
“ It has never been more challenging for
What’s on your agenda? Recruiting more members is our number one priority. It is at times like this, when the market is so tough, that independent retail businesses need the support and help available through specialist retail associations like bira. Unfortunately, too many retailers see membership as another expense - and that is why one of my first decisions as CEO was to freeze the membership rates and find ways of making it easier for businesses to join us. Once we have members, our priority then is to
ensure that our services and general work meet the needs of our members. Any membership association has to be relevant to its members and resonate with its members’ concerns and opinions.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job? Seeing people succeed - our members and our employees.
What’s the most challenging aspect of your job? Convincing retail businesses to join us. It looks like a ‘no brainer’ to me but there is a lot of competition.
What do you do to relax? I enjoy walking and do a park run most weekends. I also enjoy cooking, although the kitchen is always a mess when I’ve finished!
What are the biggest challenges facing independent retailers? Shoppers’ behaviours are changing so quickly and it’s really hard to adjust to the pace of change. Traditionally independent retailers have relied on footfall to provide the opportunity to sell, and we’re seeing a decline in footfall in many areas throughout the UK.
What are the biggest opportunities facing independent retailers? In the future, independent retail businesses will have to better embrace the internet to promote their business, deliver a shopping experience and be as flexible and convenient as the internet. Expect to see smaller retail businesses embrace ‘BOPIS’: Buy Online Pickup In Store. Independents are not bound by corporate
regimes and so can adjust their brand offerings to meet customer needs much quicker. Finally, I still believe that consumers will want to
see diversity in the high street and smaller boutique style retailers will be ideally placed.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in the retail industry? Be brave, embrace technology and be quick to adjust to consumer needs. Also, join bira!
One year ago this month in Housewares Magazine…
• Brooke House Exhibitions, the owner of co-located London trade shows Exclusively Housewares and Exclusively Electrical, announced a joint initiative for 2018 with the British Independent Retailers Association (bira).
• Tradestock Durobar Alternato ladies’ gin glass, Taylor’s Eye Witness Brooklyn Copper Fan knife set, Dexam Scion Hedgehog/Fox apron and double oven gloves and KitchenCraft Kitsch’n’Fun Fred Kitchen Diva onion glasses were the best sellers at Charlies Stores (Wales and The Borders), Potters Cookshop (Essex), Cook Central (Fife) and Ulster Stores (Coleraine) respectively.
• Celebrities James Martin, Ken Hom, Joe Wicks, Jeremy Pang and Joe Fattorini made special appearances at the Spring Fair.
• Stay Sixty - a crafted reusable double-walled water bottle made from food-grade, BPA-free, stainless steel - won Top Drawer’s inaugural Spotted Award for design-led brands. The judges described it as ‘a strong, innovative design, tapping into the current and urgent
concern with plastics’. Runners-up included interiors brand Divine Savages for its collection of home accessories and Cult Vinegar for its kit for making live vinegar, comprising a vase, bottle of starter culture, recipe booklet and labels.
• Rainy Day Trust, the charity of the home improvement and home enhancement industry, celebrated its 175th anniversary. To mark the event, the Trust set itself a fund- raising goal: to get 175 people in the industry to raise £175 each to help fund the charity’s continued work.
• Rod Abel, owner of The Cookware Company at Carlisle in Cumbria, retired after 46 years of retailing.
january/february 2018
Source: Housewares Magazine January/February 2018
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