Welcome to the Retail Enterprise Network
We have been taking our small shops for granted. The shops that have served local communities for many years, such as newsagents, corner shops, green-grocers, fish-mongers and off-licenses are in decline. Those that are still trading are threatened by a number of factors, high crime levels, increasing legislation, the power of larger supermarkets, continuing consolidation in the retail sector, changing consumer habits and a lack of availability of specific small retail training opportunities and business support mechanisms to name a few.
The Corner Stone of Local Economies
As we have taken small shops for granted their real value has not always been recognised. On many of the UK’s high streets they add diversity to what is becoming an increasingly bland retailing landscape for shoppers. Town centres are beginning to replicate each other with identical retail brands emerging in every major district.
Small retailers are especially important to the disadvantaged consumer. In deprived areas where private and public transport links are poor, the local community relies on local shops to cater for their needs. The closure of small shops results in the creation of ‘food deserts’, where local residents do not have access to important products like fresh fruit and vegetables.
It is not just urban areas where the deterioration of small shops is damaging local communities. The effects can be felt by rural economies as well. They can act as a corner stone for local economies, by keeping the money flowing through market towns and villages through local procurement and their employment of local people.
The sector has also been a route to (self) employment for many people who have suffered discrimination in other sectors, for example women and those from minority groups.
None of this is limited to the UK; it is emerging as a common problem across Europe.
The Network
With increasing recognition of these problems there have been growing numbers of individuals and organisations willing to help the small retail sector. Given the huge challenges facing the sector, it is easy to see why the Retail Enterprise Network (REN) is quickly growing in stature amongst retailers, those who support retailers and those that influence related policy. It is a partnership dedicated to supporting the small retail sector by integrating and directing the energy of those willing to help. The guiding principles of the partnership have ensured that REN has become a symbol of innovation for the way in which the small retail sector is supported.
Backed by the European Union under the EQUAL Community Programme and driven by around 40 organisations both domestic and international all with the aim of protecting and promoting the small retail sector, REN provides the definitive platform of help for independent retailers.
REN’s Aim
The overall aim of REN is to ‘protect and promote diversity in the small retail sector’. We hope to give strategic direction and a voice to a fragmented but key part of our economy. We also know that by working in partnership with those in the sector, their representatives and those who support the sector, we can make a difference. Through piloting activity aimed at increasing economic or personal effectiveness, improving job satisfaction, reducing inequality, reducing discrimination and helping to encourage more people to have their own retail outlet we are driven by the goal of seeing the sector thrive in all its diversity.
A Four Way Initiative
The Retail Enterprise Network acts as an umbrella for four differing initiatives, which aim to protect the small retail sector in unique but complementary ways. Flexibility allows them to act both in collaboration with each other or independently.