Independent Shop of the Year 2014: Could it be you?

Why have we got an Independent Shop of the Year category?

Following the success of national initiatives such as Independents’ Day and the UK’s first ever Small Business Saturday campaign, there has never been a better time to be an independent retailer which is why we have introduced this exciting new Startups Awards category for 2014.

The independent retail community is thriving – on Startups.co.uk alone over 20,000 users a month are looking at ways to start a retail business – and British consumers are supporting this growth. A recent report entitled The Future of the High Street found that the majority of UK shoppers wanted a wider range of independent shops and felt that independent stores were in fact the ‘future of the high street’.

The Independent Shop of the Year category looks to support this rise in demand and celebrate and showcase the value of independent retailers which are giving something back to their local area or high street.

We want to champion the independent shops challenging the status quo and giving high street chains a run for their money.

What are we looking for in a great independent shop?

Backed by leading retail organisation the British Independent Retail Association (bira), we’re on the hunt for independent shops that are delivering impressive customer service and unique products.

To gain recognition as the Independent Shop of the Year, the high-profile Startups Awards judging panel are seeking to identify independent retail start-ups which stand out from the crowd and show strong growth potential. Revenues, profitability and major client wins will also be taken into consideration.

Companies must be independently owned, UK-founded and UK-based, and have started trading no earlier than 1 August 2011 and no later than 31 July 2014.

Why you should enter your business for Independent Shop of the Year

Running for its 11th year, the Startups Awards boasts an unrivalled track record of unearthing the country’s most outstanding entrepreneurial businesses.

Winning Independent Shop of the Year would give your business endorsement from industry leaders and acts as a great PR opportunity to get your shop noticed with national and local press coverage on offer.

As the first Startups Awards category of its kind, you would be setting the standard for the category which other exceptional UK independent retail start-ups would then look to follow in years to come.

Marketing materials will be provided to winners and finalists with logos for use on promotional literature and letterheads, and a template press release to maximise media coverage. Video testimonials of all winners will also be displayed on the Startups Awards website.

The Startups Awards also provides networking prospects with like-minded entrepreneurs; a way in which to boost engagement and awareness about your fantastic independent shop.

What our sponsors say

Startups Awards headline sponsor Simply Business: “We can’t wait to start seeing the entries for the businesses that in future years will be leaders in their markets […] and innovators admired throughout the UK and beyond.”

You can enter as many relevant Startups Awards categories as you like for a one-off fixed fee – you don’t need to fill the form in separately for each category but you will need to provide tailored answers.

If you think your independent retail business has the makings of the Startups Awards Independent Shop of the Year 2014 then we want to hear from you, enter today.