The British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) says 2014 was nothing short of a sensation for BIRA Direct and the independent retailers it supplied with product during the year.
With a record trading year, the buying group achieved a challenging sales target, despite a difficult trading year in key market sectors such as cookware and housewares.

Sales showed significant increases in 10 out of 12 trading months, with the majority of suppliers enjoying growth over 2014.

BIRA Direct provides a product buying service with exclusive benefits, all of which are accessible to group members as part of their annual membership. The buying group recently celebrated its 50th year and a supplier portfolio of almost 200, giving retailers access to 2,000 brand names. BIRA Direct is equally geared to satisfying the buying requirements of a single store and a chain of independents.

Managing director Paul Woolley said: "It's great to show real growth year on year, but to achieve this with so many suppliers proves we're doing business in the right way for our members.

"Rather than going for short-term gain with a few key suppliers we have structured our business to grow all sectors for our members, which means ensuring we offer a broad spectrum of suppliers and brands to protect our members from sudden market changes and offer them growth through stability and well planned ranging."

BIRA Direct director of buying Steve Akers, added: "It has been a great year for BIRA Direct and we have many new suppliers wanting to join the ranks of partners supplying us. We know we can offer the best route to market, and the fact that we guarantee payment to all our suppliers ensures their continued commitment to serving the Independent retailer."