About bira

The British Independent Retailers Association (bira) is the voice of independent retailers. We are the leading trade association for independent retailers in the UK. Our aim is to provide first class support, business services and specialist representation to our members.

We represent approximately 7,500 members across the UK from single retail outlets to small chains, dealers, suppliers, manufacturers and distributors.

We’re here to help independent retail businesses get connected with others in the industry, whilst providing expert knowledge, support and access to a wide range of specialist business services, saving you time and money.

We are strongly committed to championing the independents. We continually evolve in response to the changing retail world and needs of our members. In a highly competitive market, we help independent retailers stay one step ahead.

The British Independent Retailers Association comprises of six divisional trade associations across a range of industry sectors. Through these divisions’ dedicated committees, you have a voice and benefit from the sharing of specialist trade and product knowledge.

• British Hardware Federation (BHF)
• British Shops and Stores Association (BSSA)
• Cookshop and Housewares Association (CHA)
• British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association (BAGMA)
• Pet Product Retail Association (PPRA)
• Home Decoration Retailers Association (HDRA)

Our mission

To be a world class trade association that exceeds its members’ expectations, represents good value and which makes such a difference to its members’ businesses that membership is essential.

Our values

We are for:

• The independent retailer
• Sustainable family business
• The High Street and wherever the independent trades
• Quality, value and service
• Better regulation for small businesses
• Mutual support among members

Our objectives

We will achieve our aim and foster these core values by:

• Being the natural home of the independent retailer
• Building on a century of heritage in supporting the independent, with a growing membership
• Developing our specialist divisions to best assist those members working within them and, where appropriate, adding new specialisms as needs or opportunities arise
• Engaging with members and enabling them to engage with each other, in person and in all current and future channels, including new media
• Continually strengthening our service offerings and to ensure they evolve with the members’ needs
• Understanding and, where appropriate, involving the organisation in the supply chains in which our members operate
• Growing and maintaining a sustainable trade association through a culture of performance measurement, targeted use of resources, continual staff development and planned succession
• Engaging with Government, media and other stakeholders to lead and shape the agenda affecting our members
• Setting a strategy with a three year time horizon, and to keep this strategy under annual review with full scrutiny by the Board of Management.

• BHF
• CHA
• BAGMA
• PPRA
• BSSA
• HDRA

Related items

• Board of Management
• Our committees