Ever wondered how many local customers are searching online for products you have in stock? In this episode, discover how high street shops are making their inventory visible to online shoppers in real-time.

Host Steve Dyson interviews Nick Brackenbury of Near St about technology that's helping independent retailers compete with online giants. Born from a frustrating search for a light bulb, this system now connects local shops' stock directly to Google, Facebook and Instagram.

Jane Taylor shares how a family's 128-year-old hardware store reached six million local searches, bringing customers through their doors daily with phones in hand. The episode explores how the technology works with existing stock systems and discusses costs starting from just £29 per month.

Essential listening for independent retailers looking to turn local online searches into store visits.

Subscribe now to have this podcast sent directly to your podcast platform. Then get ready for future episodes tackling themes like hazardous substances legislation, the cycle to work scheme and much more high street matters!

Hear something you want to follow up on? Listener enquiries can be sent to info@bira.co.uk.
For more on Bira's mission supporting Britain's independent retailers, visit www.bira.co.uk.

In this episode of High Street Matters we discuss ways small independent retailers can utilise AI to help them promote their business on social media.

AI (or Artificial Intelligence) is the buzzword of the moment, but how can small businesses us AI to benefit them? Are there cost effective solutions? Can AI actually be easy to use?

Listen to find the answers to all these questions can be “Yes”!

Find out how Bira is working with AI to help provide a service that helps independent traders to increase their profile, to increase customer footfall and improve revenues.

Steve Dyson talks with Polly Barnfield about Maybe's AI solutions, and Melanie Beard, co-owner of Best Health Food Shop and Bira member about how she’s seeing huge success from using Maybe AI to help with her business's social media promotion.

Subscribe now to have this podcast sent directly to your podcast platform. Then get ready for future episodes tackling themes like hazardous substances legislation, the cycle to work scheme and much more high street matters!

Hear something you want to follow up on? Listener enquiries can be sent to info@bira.co.uk.
For more on Bira's mission supporting Britain's independent retailers, visit www.bira.co.uk.
For more information about Facewatch, visit the Bira website

In this latest episode of High Street Matters by Bira, we dive into the pressing concerns of independent traders across the country.

What do these small businesses need from the new Labour Government now they are in power?

Join us as we explore the critical issues they face, from taxes, national insurance rates, and business rates to the complexities of regulations. We’ll also cover the challenges related to energy contracts and real estate.

Hear first-hand from indie retailers about their struggles and the specific actions they want their MPs to take. This Election Special offers a comprehensive look at what the high street truly needs to thrive.

Don’t miss it!

Subscribe now to have this podcast sent directly to your podcast platform. Then get ready for future episodes tackling themes like hazardous substances legislation, the cycle to work scheme and many more high street matters!

Hear something you want to follow up on? Listener enquiries can be sent to info@bira.co.uk.
For more on Bira's mission supporting Britain's independent retailers, visit www.bira.co.uk.

High Street Matters: Accessibility - Unlocking The High Street

This podcast from Bira explores how prioritising accessibility can unlock new opportunities for independent retailers on the high street. This episode delves into the commercial benefits of creating a more inclusive shopping experience.

Featuring insights from industry experts including Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre, the podcast examines common barriers to accessibility and provides affordable solutions retailers can implement.

Mr Goodacre said: "Indie traders want to be accessible, but often see steps taken that put up unintended barriers like removing parking without improving public transport access."

You'll also hear from Tony Elvin, General Manager of Touchwood Shopping Centre, on how embracing accessibility drove measurable success. He said that "small changes like turning a counter" allowed wheelchair users to properly access one indie shop, increasing business.

The podcast highlights the economic incentive too. Ailsa Forbes of the International Longevity Centre UK who shares that "by 2040, older households could spend 63p of every £1" and stresses "it makes commercial sense" to create a positive, accessible experience that turns customers into loyal repeaters".

Hosted by journalist Steve Dyson, the episode guides affordable ways indies can enhance accessibility within their premises, while underscoring the moral, social and financial payoffs of inclusivity.

Whether through improving mobility access, creating a welcoming atmosphere, or rethinking product placements to making sure that people have common barriers to accessibility and affordable solutions to parking and reaching the high street, this podcast arms retailers with the keys to unlocking the full potential of the high street for all.

Subscribe now to have this podcast sent directly to your podcast platform. Then get ready for future episodes tackling themes like hazardous substances legislation, the cycle to work scheme and many more high street matters!

Hear something you want to follow up on? Listener enquiries can be sent to info@bira.co.uk.
For more on Bira's mission supporting Britain's independent retailers, visit www.bira.co.uk.

Bira's "High Street Matters" Kicks Off with Retail Crime Episode

The premiere Podcast of "High Street Matters" tackles the escalating retail crime crisis plaguing Britain's high streets.

Hosted by journalist Steve Dyson, this hard-hitting first installment lays bare the shocking realities independent retailers are facing within the UK.

Listeners can hear the startling statistics from Bira's 2024 Crime Survey, revealing 35.5% of shopkeepers experienced verbal abuse - with a concerning 66% not reporting it to police. The data gets worse, with 7.95% subjected to physical violence like threats with weapons, and 70% chose not to alert authorities.

Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre unpacks these staggering figures and why resolute action must be taken to protect retailers and their staff. A Cambridgeshire trader also shares his first-hand account of brazen thefts targeting his DIY shop, including posting images of culprits online in a bid to identify them.

The episode explores potential solutions too. Liam Ardern from FaceWatch offers insights into facial recognition technology that could help deter criminals and aid prosecutions when incidents do occur.

Whether you're a shopkeeper who has been a victim of abuse, threats or criminal behavior or want to get ahead of the issue, this is a must-listen episode. It exposes the extent of the crime wave impacting independents and provides guidance on reporting, prevention tactics and emerging tech that could turn the tide.

Subscribe now to have this podcast sent directly to your podcast platform. Then get ready for future episodes tackling themes like hazardous substances legislation, the cycle to work scheme and much more high street matters!

Hear something you want to follow up on? Listener enquiries can be sent to info@bira.co.uk.
For more on Bira's mission supporting Britain's independent retailers, visit www.bira.co.uk.
For more information about Facewatch, visit the Bira website

Welcome to ‘High Street Matters’, a podcast from Bira, the British Independent Retailers Association.

We’ll be talking to a cross section of our members from across the UK, from single retail outlets to small chains, and from large department stores to leisure and hospitality.

‘High Street Matters’ will discuss curcial subjects such as consumer trends, relevant government legislation, business rates, parking and staffing, providing top tips to help to help businesses stay ahead of the retail curve.

For more details about Bira visit bira.co.uk