In this special Budget reaction episode, recorded shortly after the Chancellor's Autumn Statement, Andrew Goodacre and John Jones from Philip Morris & Son examine what the Government's promised "transformation" really means for independent retailers.

They discuss business rates increases of up to 45%, the four-year delay in closing the low-value import loophole, rising National Living Wage costs, and why John believes there's nothing in this Budget that drives the growth independent retailers desperately need.
A frank assessment of the gap between what was promised and the harsh reality facing Britain's high streets.
Subscribe now so you don't miss future episodes tackling themes like accessibility, retail crime, and many more high street matters!
Hear something you want to follow up on? Listener enquiries can be sent to info@bira.co.uk.
For more on Bira's mission supporting Britain's independent retailers, visit www.bira.co.uk.
To see the full High Street Matters series visit our podcast resource page.

In this episode of High Street Matters, we tackle a subject that many independent retailers think doesn't apply to them: cyber security. The harsh reality is that small businesses are increasingly being targeted by cyber criminals, and the "it won't happen to me" mentality can be dangerously costly.

Host Jeff Moody is joined by Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, who discusses why independent retailers often have their heads in the sand about cyber threats. Melissa Minkow, Director of Retail Strategy at CI&T and retail futurist, shares alarming statistics revealing that 61% of small and medium businesses were targeted by cyber attacks in 2021, and explains the most common threats facing retailers today.

We also hear from Andrew Maben of Kevin's Schoolwear in London, a Bira member who experienced a DDoS attack firsthand. Andrew shares his story of discovering his website had been compromised, the two-week disruption it caused, and his biggest realisations about vulnerability.

The episode provides practical, actionable advice on protecting your business without breaking the bank, from implementing multi-factor authentication to creating crisis management plans. Because when it comes to cyber security, no business is too small to be a target—or to take action.
Subscribe now so you don't miss future episodes tackling themes like accessibility, retail crime, and many more high street matters!
Hear something you want to follow up on? Listener enquiries can be sent to info@bira.co.uk.
For more on Bira's mission supporting Britain's independent retailers, visit www.bira.co.uk.
To see the full High Street Matters series visit our podcast resource page.

High Street Matters (S2E1) Building Trust - Why Customer Reviews Matter.
Worried about negative reviews damaging your business? Think again. In this episode, discover how you can turn customer feedback into your secret weapon for growth.

Host Claire Leigh speaks with Alicia Skubick, Chief Customer Officer at Trustpilot, and Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, about why embracing reviews - good and bad - can transform your business. Learn how one wedding dress shop increased sales by 50% after acting on customer feedback, and how a hardware store launched a profitable new service based on a negative review.

You'll discover practical tips on encouraging reviews, responding to criticism professionally, and using feedback to spot blind spots in your business. Plus, find out why 80% of consumers are influenced by reviews and how authentic responses build stronger customer relationships than perfect ratings.

Don't fear the feedback - use it to build a better business.

Subscribe now to have this podcast sent directly to your podcast platform. Then get ready for future episodes tackling themes like accessibility, retail crime, and many more high street matters!
Hear something you want to follow up on? Listener enquiries can be sent to info@bira.co.uk.
For more on Bira's mission supporting Britain's independent retailers, visit www.bira.co.uk.
To see the full High Street Matters series visit our podcast resource page.