Who doesn’t love this time of year? The days are longer, the weather is better and school is almost over. But those aren’t the only reasons to celebrate, because July is Independent Retail Month. So it’s a reminder to support your local high street and pledge to #shoplocal and #shopsmall in July.
What is Independent Retail Month?
As a freelancer, making new business contacts is vitally important for my work. I met Catherine from Frome-based Beautiful British Designs * at a recent networking event. She and her business partner, Janet, help Independent Retail Outlets find the best of British Designers without the need to leave their shops. The duo search the Trade Shows, Craft Fairs and Social Network sites to find Beautiful British Designs on behalf of smaller businesses.
Catherine explained that Independent Retail Month is a campaign that runs throughout July every year to celebrate the role that small, independent retailers play in their local communities.
The campaign aims to highlight the benefits that small independent businesses have within their surrounding community and to encourage people to shop locally. Independent shops provide many other services to their community other than just the bricks and mortar that you see.
Why choose independent?
Independent retailers and designers can offer some wonderfully unique products that you simply wouldn’t be able to find elsewhere. Independent gift shops are a great example. If we all shopped at the same big chain stores, we’d all be wearing the same clothes and using the same products. So this is a great reason to #shopsmall.
Independent cafés and restaurants are another good example. They tend to take a more artisanal approach to their businesses than big chains. So food and drinks are created by highly skilled, talented, often local people, rather than a bunch of machines in a factory.
Independent retailers are a crucial component of a thriving local community. More people are making a pledge to shop at little independent stores to maintain the colour and vibrancy of their towns, villages and high streets. Without small businesses, the landscape of our communities would look very different.
Can you imagine a future where we all live in a bleak society and everyone is forced to either shop at huge malls that offer little choice or online, with no human interaction?
As you probably know, the high street is struggling at the moment and needs your support – this is what independent retail month is all about. To support this campaign, please buy just one thing from your local shop. Or better still, why not try to purchase from independent businesses throughout the month of July? If we each all bought one small thing, it could make a huge difference and help keep our high streets colourful and vibrant.
To get involved with Independent Retail Month, take a photo of your high street or favourite independent business and tag it to #myshopshoutout. And remember, please try to #shoplocal and #shopsmall!
* This is a collaborative post.
I had no idea that this month was Independent Retail month! Thanks for sharing! I’m really lucky to live in Liverpool where almost everything is independent, even in the city centre. I’m all for celebrating the independents!!
Lots of love,
Molly xo
Liverpool sounds cool, way ahead of the game! I do try and #shopsmall whenever I can, I think it’s so important to support smaller businesses (of which I’m one too, haha!) xx
I am LOVING that you’re talking about shopping independent and supporting small businesses and thankyou so so much for popping an order into my shop yesterday for a mystery box! I sent it off this morning for you 🙂 x x
Ellis
No, thank you, your products are absolutely gorgeous, I can’t wait to see what’s inside my box! ?? xx
I couldn’t agree more! I love supporting independent retailers and I’m noticing quite a few, especially in Devon where I’m on holiday. I was going to launch a separate blog called Independent Creatives including a directory of my favourite independent retailers. I realised that I’m currently out of my depth to pursue such a project, but I’m definitely planning something like that for the future. Often independent retailers have far better quality products, and there’s such a great personal feel.
Megan xxx
Ooooh that blog sounds amazing, what a fab idea, I hope you do set it up! And I completely agree with you about indie retailers, I love the personal feel and the uniqueness of their products xx
I don’t think we have anything like this in Canada. Shopping small is great.
It really is, isn’t it? ?
i really love this post, i am the manager of a small business beauty supply shop. we only have two locations so i also encourage that people shop small! A lot of my customers love that they are able to take one on one time with me to really get the questions they have answered. Thank you for advocating for small businesses, i appreciate it! sending lots of love! xxx
~Mich | simplymich.com
Oh, thank you, I’m so glad you liked the post. What you say about one to one and the personal touch is so true. Indie retailers have the edge over big chains in many areas and this is definitely one of the top ways ? xx
Ooh I had no idea it was independent retailer month, thanks for sharing Lisa! I really enjoy browsing the small shops online, especially on Etsy to supply my enamel pin addiction, he he! Unfortunately my local highstreet is very much like the illustration (all charity shops & boring supermarkets!) so I’m glad there are plenty of independent shops online to choose from. Plus I also love getting self-presents in the post! Great post lovely and awesome you are encouraging others to #shopsmall <3 xx
TBH I had no idea either until I met Catherine but I’m very glad to have found out about it. I agree with you, indie retailers have such a wide and unique choice, plus it’s lovely to support fellow small businesses! Xx
I would LOVE to shop small more often. There aren’t a tonne of local options where I am sadly. That’s one thing I love about blogging, it’s introduced me to a lot I don’t think I would have heard of otherwise. I love it when I get the chance to support independents x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
Yes! That’s such a benefit of blogging, isn’t it? I’ve been introduced to so many amazing independent brands that I would never have found otherwise. Like you, I love supporting small businesses whenever I can xx
I read a quote that says “When you buy from a small business, an actual person does a happy dance”. Supporting creators and small businesses is so important.
Louisa
That’s such a lovely quote. And you’re absolutely right, supporting small local business is imperative! Xx
I had no idea there was such a think as Independent Retail Month; but it certainly is so important to support the small and local stores. I’ve just moved and am dying to get out and head to all the small independent stores to look for some unique and pretty bits to start decorating.xx
Oooh, how exciting to be looking forward to decorating from scratch! I hope you find lots of lovely indie retailers to help you ? xx
This is such an amazing post. I completely agree. Independent brand stores are so unique and the people that work in them are so friendly and polite. There’s a real sense of peace when people are genuinely trying to help each-other out. 🙂
Yes! You’ve hit the nail on the head, this is yet another reason why I love independent retailers, thank you!
The shops where I live are almost exclusively charity or chain shops, but I love going to small businesses/farmer’s markets when I’m on holiday. You can get some amazing products in them ?
Amy x
Yes, you can! Markets are brilliant for this kind of small business support. We have a weekly farmers market in Frome and the Bath Christmas Market is legendary 🙂 xx
Retail month for small businesses is such a great idea. Supporting new people and small retailers sounds so cool and perfect Lisa. 🙂
Via | http://glossnglitters.com
I do try and support small businesses (of which I’m one too!) because I think they have such unique and special ranges and it makes such a change from all the big brands too x
Fab post Lisa! And thanks so much for including me in this too (glad you enjoy the #ShopSmall series!). I love what Catherine and Janet do and I love that you’re also helping to promote small and independent businesses too xx
Rebecca
Awh, your series is wonderful, I couldn’t write a post like this and not mention you! Thank you so much for your lovely comments 🙂 xx