Innovative Ideas to Help Independent Shops

Immy Keys

In a country of 60 million people with an ageing population, it’s likely never going to be the case again that you pop to the village baker, deli, greengrocer and indie health store (most sell pills over food).

Run an indie shop? Many seeds, flowers, plants (and plantable cards) are toxic to pets, so learn what not to sell to households with pets.

But it’s good to support indie shops when you find them, even if it’s only for a weekly loaf of bread or a basket of fresh organic vegetables. Or even buying a handmade bar of soap or handcrafted gift card. Every little helps!

Small indie shops are not just nice for communities to avoid ‘clone towns’ (where all towns look and feel the same), but they tend to have staff who are treated better and paid more. And importantly, small indie shops stick around when things get tough.

You can usually take dogs inside, ‘borrow a bag’, put a few groceries on a tab for older children to collect and often small shops will also order in goods that you request, rather than you have to write an ignored letter to Head Office, if you really want that artisan vegan cheese brand in store.

The main reason to support independent shops is that you usually can get there by foot or bicycle. Many indie shops are in old buildings so can’t adapt for wheelchairs etc. So it pays to have a sign (or website) saying you can deliver locally for free.

Supporting indie shops also means you get to keep money within your community. A small shop owner may well bank with a local credit union, likely employs local people, has no shareholders, employs a local signwriter, and likely also eats his lunch at the local pub!

Shop Local Whenever Possible

When you shop local, you keep money in your community and help create jobs. Think about it: each time you decide to buy from a small shop, you’re investing in your neighbours and fostering local diversity.

Create a List: Before you shop, make a list of what you need. This way, you can plan visits to local shops that might have what you need.
Explore New Places: Dedicate time each week or month to visit shops you haven’t been to before. You might discover hidden gems.
Consider Gift Giving: When special occasions arise, look for gifts in local shops. They often have unique items that reflect your community’s character.
Pedddle is a site connecting shoppers with independent market stall holders.

Simple Ideas to Help Indie Shops Thrive

Good Morning, Beautiful Business is the story of a woman in Philadelphia who set up a local cafe to help save her row of Victorian brownhouses. And accidentally created a nationwide organic food movement.

Another good US book is Specialty Shop Retailing by a successful gift shop owner. It covers shop design, pricing, staff, preventing theft, accessibilty and add-on online shops.

Maine’s Sunrise Guide is a green living coupon book, with thousands of dollars off local indie shops and services (so sells itself). Local schools and non-profits keep 50% of profits, on sale or return.

Indie Cambridge lists all members online, and profiles them in the magazine (they get a professional photo shoot, and invites to pop-up events). Independent Oxford runs a similar website and directory.

Link to special events (discounts for local veggie restaurants on Valentine’s Day or natural toy stores could invite a juggler along, to entertain children).

Could you imagine if local councils had a ‘limelight merchant’ to focus on indie shops, how much more money this would bring into the local economy of each town?

Join Holly’s Independent Shop Movement

Holly & Co is a site founded to celebrate independent shops, and when you join up, you can use one or more of the badges showing the type of shop you operate: