Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
The Support for Independent Retail campaign is urging independent retailers to take part in its annual ‘Enjoy an Independent Easter’ event.
The initiative is now in its third year, following its launch in 2013. Towns are invited to run the event between Saturday March 21 and Monday April 6 – capturing most of the UK’s standard school holidays in the two weeks to Easter (which lands on April 5).
During that period, shoppers will be able to go on Easter Egg Hunts, visiting participating shops marked on their Easter Egg Hunt maps to collect ‘eggs’ (egg-shaped stickers). Once all the eggs have been collected, the shoppers win a prize, such as a real chocolate egg or other Easter-themed treat. Kids will also receive a certificate of completion. Some towns also offer consumers the chance to enter a prize draw.
To find out more visit www.indieeaster.co.uk and specifically www.indieeaster.co.uk/easter-egg-hunt. The website includes branding templates and resources, how-to guides and advice for making the most of taking part. There is no charge.
The ‘Enjoy an Independent Easter’ campaign is one of three annual events, joining Independent Retailer Month and Celebrate an Independent Christmas, as part of the Support for Independent Retail campaign.
Together, these events aim to create a nationwide effort to improve footfall to high streets, towns and village centres, increasing consumer confidence and boosting retail sales. The campaign was founded by Clare Rayner.
She said: “Even though independent retailers are only just beginning to recover from the Christmas period, it’s now time to start planning ahead for Easter. ‘Enjoy an Independent Easter’ is a great activity to get people shopping locally. It’s fun for all the family and will make sure that consumers are aware of the fantastic, unique shops that can be found right on their doorsteps.
“It’s absolutely vital that independent retailers get involved and help to organise an Easter Egg Hunt for their area. Footfall statistics across the last year were incredibly disappointing for high streets and shopping centres, so independent retailers were among the many that missed out.
“That shouldn’t be the case – independent retailers are a vital part of the UK’s shopping scene, and consumers need a gentle nudge to remind them to spend with their local shops.”
