Entries for the 2020 Best Small Shop competition are open
Independent retailers are the lifeblood of UK high streets and are at the heart of their communities. Offering specialist products and services, a wealth of unique knowledge and a passion for the people, places and special features of their community. The Best Small Shops competition celebrates the commitment, creativity and the entrepreneurial spirit of independent retailers across the UK and works to highlight their role in building local communities.
Retail has faced a challenging time of late and the retail landscape is changing and continuing to evolve, giving rise to independent retailers that have the opportunity to enter the marketplace in a unique way and put customers at the forefront of their endeavours by offering specialist knowledge, products and exceptional customer service.
The Best Small Shops competition celebrate this unique industry and shows consumers what makes these small shops so special.
Independent retailers from all retail sectors across the UK are invited to enter the competition, with 30 of the most impressive applications shortlisted and invited to attend the Best Small Shops reception in November 2020.
This year’s competition has been revised to better reflect the current retail climate. Judges are seeking entries from independent retailers that are demonstrating specific innovation to combat the impact of COVID-19 in a new award category.
The judges will be looking for evidence of:
- Specific innovation to combat the impact of COVID-19
- Safety of staff and customers was maintained
- How the business diversified to maintain trading
- If the shop was forced to close what strategies were adopted to continue trading
- Plans put in place to retain communications with the local community
- Initiatives to reach a new customer base
The competition is open now, with entries closing on September 11, 2020. The judging process will be held from mid-September to mid-October with the Awards shortlist announced in late October.
Take a look at competition entry guidance here.
To enter, go to https://www.indieretail.uk/best-small-shops/competition/
