Application Form Support and Experience
In today's economic climate, it is increasingly tough being a retailer. It is even tougher being an independent retailer. IFRA provides you with the support - and experience - of its nationwide membership.
Contacts
Members meet regularly both nationally and locally, to find the best solutions to problems and to exchange ideas of mutual benefit. Meeting on a regional basis, we organise visits to fellow members' shops - a valuable source of ideas and information. Study Tours - sometimes abroad - and Seminars help to ensure that independent retailers have the most up-to-date information on fashion trends, footwear ranges and retailing methods.
Promoting to the Public
Using media and public relations we put the case for the independent retailer before the public.
Representing the Independent
The Secretariat, on members' behalf, either monitors or is in regular touch with Parliament, Government Departments, British Retail Consortium, British Chambers of Commerce. the Office of Fair Trading, and many consumer organisations. SATRA Members are able to access the testing facilities of the laboratories of SATRA in Kettering, Northants. The facilities of this internationally recognised laboratory are only available to independent retailers through IFRA.
IFRA Saves You Money
As an IFRA member you can make real savings in such important areas as:
Shop Insurance
Members receive preferential rates from our nominated insurance brokers. Many have saved more than the annual membership subscription by consulting either:
Anthony Jones (UK) Ltd
Tel: 020 8290 4560
Fax: 020 8290 4362
Email: info@AnthonyJones.com
Bank Charges
We have special arrangements with HSBC who can provide a comprehensive business banking package including very special rates :
* Cheques paid in
* Cash paid in
* Cash paid out
* Cash exchanged
* Credits to account Automated BACS
* Cheques and other items debited to account
For full detail please ring the IFRA office for an application form for this facility.
Property Advice
IFRA retains a specialist firm of estate agents and valuers who offer members advice on such matters as the purchase and disposal of leasehold and freehold property, rent reviews, lease renewals and valuations.
Free Legal Service
Whether for business or personal problems, free legal advice is available, by phone, from our legal help line.
Improving Your Sales
We keep members up-to-date on all the latest merchandising, promotional and selling techniques. For full details of point-of-sale and other selling aids contact Maidstone Signs Ltd 01622 716891 e-mail: sales@maidstonesigns.co.uk
Increased Contact with Manufacturers
IFRA and Britain's leading Manufacturers have a close relationship: one that enables members to ensure ready and easy contact with some of their most important suppliers. IFRA has:
* its own National Office.
* a professional secretariat with a Telephone Helpline for members' enquiries
* a governing Council of democratically elected members. a regional and branch structure.
IFRA recognises:
* the need for professionalism.
* the need to listen to its members and their requirements.
* that it must be constantly on the alert for ways of improving and increasing its programme of activities.