National Independents' Week boosts profile of small stores
03/06/2009
Small independent shops are being promoted by National Independents' Week across the UK from June 1st, which is being organised by the Federation of Wholesale Distributers (FWD).
It is hoped the initiative will help boost interest in smaller retail outlets and could encourage more people looking for a career in retail to consider working in independent stores rather than large, multinational firms.
The FWD's My Shop Is Your Shop (MSYS) campaign is running the week of events and is keen to highlight the benefits of shopping and working in independent stores.
Alan Twigg, spokesperson for MSYS, described National Independents' Week as "A celebration of one of the pillars of community."
He added: "It's just a chance to say 'don't forget this', it's a fantastic thing, you don't want to lose it."
National Independents' Week is in its sixth year and celebrates the value of the local newsagent, convenience store and rural shop, where the owner supports local neighbourhood activities, stocks products local people want and is a community focal point.
People looking for jobs in retail could be tempted to work in local stores to help provide the important link in local communities.
The sector is also proving relatively resistant to the recession. Sales in the convenience sector hit £29 billion to April of this year - £1.7 billion up on 2008.
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