46% of unbiased retailers report decrease Q2 gross sales, Bira finds
Practically half (46%) of Britain’s unbiased retailers reported decrease gross sales within the second quarter of 2025 in contrast with the identical interval final yr, in response to new figures from the British Impartial Retailers Affiliation (Bira).
The decline was attributed to a squeeze on family budgets and falling client confidence as key components.
The figures had been revealed in Bira’s newest Heartbeat survey, which tracks buying and selling efficiency throughout the sector. Carried out from July to August, the Q2 survey gathered responses from Bira members and the Affiliation of Cycle Merchants (ACT).
Whereas 45% of respondents stated gross sales had improved in contrast with the primary quarter of 2025, solely 13.8% reported a rise on the identical interval final yr. Q2 usually represents a quieter buying and selling window than Q1, which incorporates the January gross sales interval.
The biking sector confirmed combined outcomes, whereas others pointed to exterior pressures, together with disruption attributable to the inventory market response to US tariff bulletins in April.
Retailers additionally raised issues about industry-wide challenges, together with extra inventory and elevated competitors from new manufacturers coming into the UK market straight from China and Taiwan.
When requested about authorities priorities for the autumn assertion, 47% of respondents recognized enterprise charges reform as their primary concern. Different priorities included limiting rises to the nationwide minimal wage, tackling cyber crime, and elevated police funding.
Andrew Goodacre, chief govt of Bira, stated: “These findings paint a regarding image of the challenges dealing with Britain’s unbiased retailers. With family budgets underneath strain and enterprise confidence fragile, our members are dealing with an ideal storm of rising prices and unsure client demand.
“The federal government should recognise that unbiased retailers are the spine of our excessive streets and take decisive motion to cut back the quantity retailers truly pay for enterprise charges, particularly as subsequent yr many 1000’s pays extra. With out this assist, we danger dropping the varied, vibrant retail panorama that makes our communities particular.”
