Helping independent retailers with digital engagement with the “Pi street” #IndieRetail #PiStreet by @PhilCampbell

This guest blog has been provided by Phil Campbell, the brains behind a fascinating innovation for independent retailers and consumer facing brands… “PI STREET”, a tool that will help businesses with digital and social customer engagement…

Countdown to Independent Retailer Month: 6-weeks to go! #IndieMonth #IndieRetail

This coming Monday is the beginning of the 6-week countdown to Independent Retailer Month. This is a great opportunity for individual retailers, small groups or even whole towns to create fun and engaging promotions, activities and events that will attract new and existing customers into the store, and the area, to celebrate their local, independent retailers throughout July.

#IndieRetail brand, Chloe James Lifestyle, runs fashion show for charity by @ChloeJamesStore

St Albans based independent  boutique,  Chloe  James  Lifestyle,  held  a  fashion  show  in  aid  of ReachOut  Plus  on  the  evening  of  May  2^nd.  The  event  was  held  at  Cote  Brasserie, opposite  the  Chloe  James  Lifestyle  shop  on  the  High  Street  in  St  Albans.  Ninety  guests    were  greeted  with  a  complimentary  Kir  Royale  before  taking  their  seats  for  the  fashion  show. 

Newsletter Basics – top tips from Constant Contact for #IndieRetail by @ctctUK

So you have decided to start an email newsletter for your business… that’s great news. It’s the best way to engage with your customers and build & maintain a relationship with them. Now what? You’re stumped as to where to start. Well, there are three simple steps you should follow before you even think about sending out your first email.

PRESS RELEASE: Half of the second wave of #PortasPilots have not spent a penny #highstreet

Only one local authority has spent the money awarded for the second wave of Portas Pilots, it can be revealed.

Following heavy criticism of the wasteful and slow spending of the first 12 towns to be awarded Portas Pilot status, Freedom of Information requests have revealed that a similar lack of urgency has been shown by the second wave of 15 towns. Of £1.5 million awarded to 15 towns in July 2012, only 13 per cent of the money has been spent.

Count down to Independent Retailer Month: In 2-months the National campaign to increase trade with Independent Retailers begins!

In just 2 months independent retailers and whole towns UK-wide will be kick-starting a month-long celebration of Independent retail. The aim is to raise awareness for 1000s of fantastic local businesses, to increase footfall to our town and village centres, and to boost sales. Retailers, groups of retailers, and whole towns, are urged to create promotions, activities and events that capture the imagination of the local community, getting people to think about shopping local, not just for one-day but throughout July and all year round! By sustaining a variety of activities for a whole month the campaign will begin to change the habits and mind-sets of consumers. If they spend a month enjoying regular visits to their local, independent retailers, by the end of July they won’t want to stop…

Digital High Street 2013 #digihighst #indieretail

It’s just over a week to go until Digital High Street 2013, the UK’s first event on digital innovation in retail and regeneration, technologies for you and your town. Retailers are coming to Halifax from Aberdeen, Brighton and Cardiff – we’d love for you to join us!

The Portas Effect by @UKPOSGroup for #IndieRetail

It’s no secret that the retail sector has struggled during the recession, and it has been a worrying time for retailers of all sizes. In 2012, Mary Portas launched her search for the first ‘Portas Pilot’ towns, which would be run by town teams, and be influenced by ideas and guidelines created by Mary herself.

Earlier this year we saw a flurry of headlines concerning the Portas Pilots, about how budgets weren’t being used effectively within the chosen towns. At Retail Week Live, in March, it was interesting to hear Mary’s views on the project and its success over the past year at Retail Week Live.

PRESS RELEASE: Bounce for high street footfalls as rents continue to drop by @TownsAlive

New figures based on research in towns across England and Wales today revealed that footfall counts – the numbers of people visiting high streets and town centres – have bounced back after collapsing last year. Vacant property rates have also reduced, providing a glimmer of hope for hard pressed high streets.

Try out a FREE marketing service AND donate money to #IndieRetail campaign, for FREE!

Did you know that if you sign up to the FREE marketing services from O2 Priority moments as a result of our recommendation, O2 will donate a cash sum to support the campaign on your behalf?

It’s true! We think it’s a brilliant way to encourage independent retailers to try a FREE new local, mobile marketing tool AND support the campaign, all at once!