Retail

Articles, guides and news on retailing topics for UK small businesses, whether traditional brick-and-mortar stores, e-commerce platforms, or omni-channel. Topics covered include the key elements of successful retailing such as inventory management, pricing strategies, customer service, store design, and marketing.

Marketing

How can I promote my small retail outlet?

Get people to pay attention to your window displays. An attractive shop window display should draw passers by to look and come in to buy.

Finding and selling to customers

From summer fête to supermarket: how to get your product on the shelves.

Getting your product onto the shelves of a major retailer is no mean feat. SmallBusiness.co.uk speaks to Maria Hellyer, co-founder of The British Curry Company, about how she managed to turn a few jars of curry sauce at a summer fête into Bombay Authentics, a brand that is now sold throughout the UK and exported to 12 countries throughout North America, the Middle East and Europe.

Investing in a franchise

Blazes: Supporting its franchisees

Husband and wife Graham and Pam Bastow have been running the Blazes store in Wakefield for almost 3 years and cannot speak highly enough of the fireplace retail franchisor.

A guide to getting a small business loan

Everything you need to know on what small business loans are and what types of loan are available for your business.

Partner content

What are the funding options for hospitality businesses?

Hospitality businesses have faced a number of challenges in the last couple of years. Find out what funding and support is available.

Employing & managing staff

The importance of vocational rehabilitation services for SMEs

In Aviva’s latest SME research*, 57 per cent of employers surveyed agreed that nowadays employees expect benefits to protect against loss of income or earnings. What do you offer your people?