The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) is helping indies recover from the pandemic with the launch of a new trading platform, Neartoo. The UK-wide platform will provide independent retailers with a new, cost-effective way to sell online and engage local customers, helping them build their presence both locally and nationally.
Bira’s CEO Andrew Goodacre said: “The pandemic has accelerated shopping behaviours, with more use of the internet and people also shopping more locally. This platform, owned by independents, addresses both of those societal changes, and will allow these retailers to open up new ways of selling to customers, and more profitably. Bira wants to help independent retailers achieve their ambitions.”
Developed in the wake of the pandemic, which resulted in at least one in five independents close for good, Neartoo offers indies the chance to rebuild and grow their business on a platform designed for them. The platform will allow transactions, click and collect or simply awareness building prior to visiting the shop, as well as operating at significantly lower sales commission than its competitors (7% instead of the minimum 20% charged by most platforms).
Every retailer will be sharing individual profiles, enabling the consumer to know who they are buying from, which will help retain that personal relationship independents retailers and consumers value. Access to the platform will be free to Bira members in the first year and non-members can also use it with a monthly fee charged after 3 months.
Other benefits to the retailer include one-click product uploads, automatic uploading of other platform links, and being part of one order from a consumer where before they may not have been worth a separate order. Benefits to the consumer include a reduced delivery mileage, providing environmental savings and boosting local employment; options for delivery, click ‘n’ collect or in-person collection; and in-built Google Maps feature to show store’s location and help shoppers plan route.
