Retailers

Jul- 2020 -

30 July

New grants to be made available for small businesses

Grants totalling £20m are to be made available to small businesses, the government announced today (July 30). Thousands of smaller businesses in England are set to benefit from the new government funding to help them recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Small and medium sized businesses will have…

29 July

Usdaw urges public to support shopworkers

Retail trade union Usdaw is urging shoppers to follow the law and help to protect shopworkers and other customers by wearing a face covering, while following existing social distancing and hygiene procedures. The union said shopworkers are “not responsible” for enforcing the law, and abuse should not be part of…

22 July

Bira urges PM to ‘give us back our high streets’

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) is calling on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to intervene and “give us back our high streets”. In an exclusive Bira survey, three quarters (75%) of independent retailers said trade is being “detrimentally impacted” by lockdown road closures. The survey revealed that two thirds (66.1%)…

21 July

Peach and Pooch to launch first ever shop

An independent pet accessory brand is set to open its first shop in Harrogate later this month. Peach and Pooch creates a range of pet products, with each piece designed and handmade by local resident, Emily Ong, who makes all products from her home studio in Harrogate. Ong creates a…

21 July

Bira backs plans for tougher shoplifting penalties

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has welcomed government plans to take a tougher stance on shoplifting. Home Secretary Priti Patel recently announced the Government would be writing to police chiefs to advise that shoplifters stealing items to the value of £200 should be prosecuted. The decision follows a major…

21 July

Barnard Brothers closes after 100 years of trading

An Ipswich pet shop has confirmed it will permanently close its doors after more than 100 years of trading. According to the Ipswich Star, a sign in the window of Barnard Brothers has informed local residents it will close its doors on 31 July. The original Barnard Brothers shop was…

17 July

Pet trade must refocus on small animals, says retailer

A retailer that specialises in guinea pigs has called on the industry to change its “archaic” approach to small animals. HayPigs has warned that the industry must take more “responsibility” in educating owners about caring for small animals at the point of purchase, after warning that “hundreds” of guinea pigs…

16 July

Usdaw welcomes compulsory wearing of face coverings in shops

Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed the mandatory wearing of face coverings in shops, but warns that it can only be effective alongside existing social distancing and hygiene procedures. Earlier this week wearing a face covering in retail shops and supermarkets will be made compulsory from the 24 July. It…

15 July

Bestpets named ‘wholesaler of the year’

Bestpets has been voted “wholesaler of the year” in the Pet Product Marketing Retailer Recommended Awards 2020, for the second consecutive year. The voting was open for a month supported by a campaign in Pet Product Marketing magazine as well as online channels. In addition, Bestpets previously claimed victory at…

15 July

Pet shop targeted by vandals

A pet shop was targeted by vandals last weekend, with Lincolnshire Police now calling for information regarding the incident. Vandals smashed in the front windows of the Louth-based Potty About Pets store. The incident reportedly took place at about 10.10pm last Saturday evening (11 July). Owner Meg Johnson told the…