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Bira - The British Independent Retailers Association

Walkers Mica of Dunoon family photo, taken for their photoshoot for Bira Magazine
Walkers Mica of Dunoon family photo, taken for their photoshoot for Bira Magazine

Bira covers not just Home, DIY & Garden but fashion, agri-machinery, petshops, giftshops & health food stores amongst others!
Bira covers not just Home, DIY & Garden but fashion, agri-machinery, petshops, giftshops & health food stores amongst others!

Bira’s financial services include loans on vehicles and savings accounts, amongst many other products
Bira’s financial services include loans on vehicles and savings accounts, amongst many other products

Mica is a Cooperative of Independent Stores, and since 2019 also a division of the Bira Group.


A little background...
Bira has been supporting independent retail businesses for over 120 years. Over this time they’ve been fighting for a level playing field, drawing on the strength of our membership mass.

They influence the media, change Government legislation and provide support on areas of strain like business rates, parking and staffing.

Like Mica in its specialties of marketing, group buying and retail support, Bira offers strength in numbers too.

Following an amendment to the Mica Co-operative Constitution, sanctioned by Co-operatives UK and approved by unanimous vote of attending and proxy members at an EGM in August 2019, Mica and Bira now work together for the benefit of the Independents across the UK.

This means Mica are able to offer it’s members exclusive rates and discounts on essential business services negotiated by Bira on behalf of its members.

Their key services include

  • Banking – products built around independent retailers including loans and savings via Birmingham Bank
  • Business insurance - Specialist cover for independent businesses with the quickest online buying experience you can find!
  • Card processing rates - Competitive preferential rates with no PCI compliance fees and no authorisation fees for Bira members
  • Legal advice and protection - Unlimited legal advice (in areas including employment law, HR and health & safety) and £50,000 indemnity cover*
  • Retail Training – Develop your team with Bira training courses
  • Industry insight - The latest industry news, events and legislative updates straight to your inbox with the Bira newsletter
    & more!

You can learn more about Bira by visiting their website www.bira.co.uk, but be assured with Mica membership, you can access all the benefits of Bira membership plus all the additional benefits of the Mica cooperative, with no ongoing additional costs.