July is Independent Retailer Month: Join the celebration

Did you know July is Independent Retailer Month? Independent Retailer Month is a time to celebrate independent retailers and their contributions to our communities and local economies. This is a chance to show appreciation for the importance of entrepreneurs and independent retailers in your area. Here at Tundra we’re celebrating our independent retailers every day and the great work they do in supporting their community and bringing unique products to their customers. When you look at the numbers, the positive impact local businesses have, from the volume of reinvestments to the number of jobs local businesses create, is impressive.

How Independent Retailer Month started

Independent Retailer Month came from the collaboration of Tom Shay, principal of Profits Plus, and Kerry Bannigan, Co-Founder of Nolcha, who wanted to celebrate the importance of independent retailers across the globe.

What began as a week-long festivity transformed into a month-long celebration of independent retailers in 2011. Also in 2011, Clare Rayner, known as “The Retail Champion,” expanded Independent Retailer Month to the United Kingdom.

How you can participate

You can celebrate independent retailers in your community by collaborating with local business organizations, your chamber of commerce, and other local, independent retailers to host events that celebrate your community. From a social media kit to postcards, get inspired with this collection of resources from Independent Retailer Month. If you’re not sure where to start, you can display Independent Retailer Month postcards and posters, and try out some of these ideas:

• Post on your social media channels and use #indieretail to get the word out
• Run a special promotion or sale as a thank you to your customers for supporting your store
• Create an experience your customers will remember — host an event at your store with fun activities — it’s also an opportunity to get to know and learn about your customers
• Get partners on board — Partner with other local, independent retailers, local business associations, and chamber of commerce to coordinate larger community events and attract more patrons
• Invite your customers to enter a contest or giveaway that runs for the month of July — you can invite customers to join the conversation and take an action on your social media page to enter (such as liking your post) — and start the conversation about what local, independent retailers mean to them

Independent Retailer Month for Tundra means celebrating independent retailers in July and beyond — connecting independent retailers with quality wholesale brands and empowering independent retailers with the information they need to make the best wholesale buying decisions for their businesses. For us it’s paramount to provide a zero-fee and commission-free marketplace so that small businesses can grow and thrive.

Let’s keep the celebration of independent retailers in our communities going all year round!