by Stuart Hopwood | Feb 16, 2026 | Industry News, Industry Comment
The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has today [16th February], written to the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, alongside a coalition of 18 business organisations and tax experts, calling for a formal consultation on reforming VAT online...
by Stuart Hopwood | Feb 5, 2026 | Industry News, Industry Comment, Industry Events
Already in the history books, January’s CES 2026 Las Vegas demonstrated to trade visitors the future of many innovative technologies in the world of vision and sound. Now in February, whilst writing this, we also see this month’s ISE 2026 Barcelona completing its...
by Stuart Hopwood | Jan 21, 2026 | Industry News, Industry Comment
Independent retailers are facing the same crippling pressures as pubs but remain excluded from discussions about additional business rates support, a leading independent retailers association has warned following the latest employment figures. Data from the Office for...
by Stuart Hopwood | Jan 21, 2026 | Industry News, Industry Comment, Product News
The top 10 things homeowners put off fixing around the house include noisy or vibrating washing machines, overflowing gutters and dripping taps, according to a new survey conducted by OnePoll[i]Â for the Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances...
by Stuart Hopwood | Dec 1, 2025 | Industry News, Industry Comment
“I wanted to write to you directly as the CEO of Bira (including ACT, Retra and MICA) to give you the full picture on what last week’s Budget really means for your business rates bill.” A letter from Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre. His Budget update in...
by Stuart Hopwood | Dec 1, 2025 | Industry News, Industry Comment
Combined Independents (Holdings) Ltd (CIH), part of Euronics, joins AMDEA — a boost for independent retail brands Sensis and Schönhaus The Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances (AMDEA) is delighted to announce that Combined Independents (Holdings) Ltd...
