24 May 2007, 14:32 PM

  • UK independent retailers are gearing up for the first ever National Independents' Week (NIW), the campaign to promote local stores in their communities across the UK.

Close on 5,000 in store “theatre kits” were sent out this week to independent retailers taking part in the promotion, which starts on 4th June.

The kits contain tshirts, caps, balloons, window stickers and point of sale with the slogan - “My Shop Is Your Shop, Local And Proud Of It.”

Support for NIW from suppliers and wholesalers has reached “new levels”, say the organisers. Alan Toft, chairman of the My Shop Is Your Shop (MSYS) campaign, said, “This is the biggest generic consumer and trade support week ever mounted for the independent retail sector.

“MSYS was launched in 2004 and has gained ground slowly but surely. This year support from MSYS has given the activity critical mass which bodes well for 2008 and beyond,” he added.