The annual search to find Britain’s Best Small Shop, a competition managed by the Independent Retailers Confederation (IRC), has begun.

A key focus of the competition is on consumer engagement and how independent retailers promote all that is special about their businesses to the local community and consumers at large.

Celebrating personal commitment, innovation and community engagement, the Best Small Shops competition recognises the contribution of independent retailers on the UK’s high streets and shopping parades.

The launch of Britain’s Best Small Shop coincides with Independents’ Day, the national campaign which celebrates and promotes the UK’s independent retailers each year on 4 July.

The competition is open to any UK independent retailer selling goods or services to the public.

For 2019, the competition will challenge entrants to promote the benefits of their retail offering to consumers. The initial selection process, therefore, is voted on by the general public here.

Competition entrants will need to concisely showcase their proposition to consumers. Also, outline areas of community engagement as well as innovation and development plans for their business over the coming years.

The competition closes on 9 September 2019. The most successful applications over 10 weeks of consumer voting will then go forward to an industry panel for shortlisting.

The shortlist of the most impressive applicants will receive an invitation to attend the competition reception in November. There, they will have the opportunity to meet with trade representatives and other shortlisted retailers before the winner and runners up are announced.

How to enter

The competition is free to enter and any independent retailer based in the UK can apply. Furthermore, every business who enters the competition will feature on the Indie Retail directory, raising customer awareness throughout the UK.

To enter the competition, you will need to:

• Be an independent retailer; defined as a non-corporate business selling goods or services to the public for use or consumption rather than for resale, from a business rated premises in the UK
• Create a public facing listing on the Indie Retail website
• Complete the online competition entry form in full
• Submit your entry before 8am on Monday 9 September 2019

What’s next?

Once an independent retailer submits their entry, they can download the Best Small Shops logo to display on their website. The logo will link directly back to their shop listing on the Indie Retail site.

Retailers need to then encourage customers to show their appreciation for their shop by voting on their shop listing.