IFRA - THE STRIDE AHEAD WHICH SUPPORTS YOUR INDEPENDENT BUSINESS
Published: 21 September, 2011
Outline of the benefits of Membership of the Independent Footwear Retailers Association (IFRA): IFRA provides an individual forum for those whose main professional activity is the retailing of footwear. Because we share many common problems – and opportunities – we are able as a group (not as individual traders) to find relevant answers and to assist each other in such areas as improving relations with our suppliers, relations with our staff, relations with our local authority and, critically, greater profitability.
IFRA is fiercely proud of representing the independent for the benefit of all members – indeed, for the benefit of us all.
IFRA can help you! Your involvement will help IFRA
This is the package that Membership of IFRA offers
SUPPORT AND EXPERIENCE
In today’s economic climate it is increasingly tough being a retailer. IFRA provides you with the support – and experience – of its nationwide membership.
CONTACT
Members meet regularly to find the best solutions to problems and to exchange ideas of mutual benefit. We meet regularly both nationally and regionally. Members receive details of all IFRA meetings and these often include visits to fellow member’s shops, to shopping precincts and developments and to other fashion retailers. These visits invariably provide a valuable source of ideas and often offer a different approach on how to tackle an on-going problem in an alternative way and also fresh, provocative and useful general information which assist with the general day-to-day running of your retail footwear business.
STUDY TOURS
We arrange group study tours both within theUKand abroad to examine at first hand, methods of retailing employed by our European and North American colleagues.
SEMINARS
These help to ensure that independent retailers have the most up-to-date information on fashion trends and retailing methods.
KEEPING IN TOUCH
All members receive our Newsletter which covers matters of general retail and business interest as well as those relating specifically to footwear retailing. The Newsletter also publishes reports on most IFRA activities. It is a full colour journal and is published six times each year.
REPRESENTING THE INDEPENDENT
The Secretariat, on behalf of all members, either monitors or is in regular touch with the EU and other European bodies, UK parliamentary representatives, Government Departments, The Office of Fair Trading, The Society of Shoe Fitters, CEDDEC (European body of Shoe Retailers Associations), the British Footwear Association and many consumer organisations. Reports on these activities appear in our various publications.
IFRA SAVES YOU MONEY
As an IFRA Member you can make savings in such important areas as: Shop Insurance, Private Health Insurance, Personal Accident and Sickness Insurance, Motor and Private Insurance. Just ring the IFRA office on 01295 738 726 for further details.
BANKING AND CREDIT CARD FEES
Through AIB (although you do not need to bank with them in order to qualify for the special rates we have negotiated) we can offer very competitive rates on credit card transactions.
FOR DETAILS
For full information on all these IFRA facilities, please telephone the IFRA office on 01295 738 726.
PROMOTIONS
Using the media and public relations we put the case of the independent retailer before the public. We are frequently quoted on local and national radio as well as in the press. Many trading standards officers and citizens advice bureaux refer to us for advice. We always advance the retailers point-of-view.
INCREASE CONTACT WITH MANUFACTURERS AND SUPPLIERS
IFRA andBritain’s manufacturers, wholesalers and other suppliers of footwear merchandise have a close and cordial relationship. We are in constant communication on all aspects of footwear promotion in theUKwith the British Footwear Association and this liaison enables our members to have easy and ready contact with some of their most important suppliers.
STAFF COSTS AND WAGES
We regularly review staff costs and wages in confidential documents which help members adjust the structure of their wages bill. Our Contract of Employment facility is available to members at a very reasonable cost and is up-dated as legislation dictates.
IMPROVING YOUR SALES
We offer members point-of-sale material specifically tailored to their own requirements – and our numerical strength enables us to keep prices very competitive. We also keep members informed on the latest merchandising, promotional and selling techniques.
TRAINING
We offer a comprehensive package of training aids for your staff and for you too! We believe that well trained staff are more effective sales people. We have taken a deliberate approach to training and offer a variety of facilities through specialists in the field. We regularly offer one-day courses on a variety of subjects in various venues throughout theUK.
These one-day courses include “Selling Skills” (to help your staff to make more sales and to increase the value of each transaction), “Staff Development” (to teach supervisors how to train and develop staff most effectively), “Effective Staff Management” (to help proprietors and managers to achieve the best possible results at all levels – even the “old hands” can benefit!) “Display, Promotion and Marketing” (to help you to explore and develop expertise in these crucial areas). You will be advised of the dates and locations of these important activities.
Personalised in-store training activities are also available on request and regional training and consultancy is offered at very modest fees and can be arranged for an individual member to suit specific needs or for a group of members in any part of theUK.
IFRALearn
This series of training aids has been specially formulated for footwear retailers. IFRALearn is a training and learning package which can be used by all staff to improve their effective sales activity within your store. Copies of the whole series (currently running to six booklets on different topics) are available at very reasonable prices to IFRA members. Part 1 covers Customers Care, Part 2 Selling Skills and there is a Tutors Manual which covers training for Parts 1 & 2. Part 3 covers Footwear Facts and Figures, Part 4 Footwear, Feet & Fitting and there is another Tutors Manual to assist in Part 3 & 4.
IFRALearn is one of the most valuable sales aids available to footwear retailer anywhere. For further details please ring the IFRA office on 01295 738 726.
BUSINESS SUPPORT HELPLINE
This legal helpline is available only to IFRA members who are provided with their own helpline card, telephone number and scheme number. Members can have immediate access to legal experts on virtually every business topic including sale of goods, employment, premises law, health & safety and many others.
IFRA HAS
Its own national office based in Banbury and a professional secretariat with a telephone helpline for member’s enquiries.
A governing Council of democratically elected members and a regional and branch structure.
IFRA RECOGNISES
- The need for professionalism if we are to compete with others in the marketplace.
- The need to listen to its members and act on their requirements and needs.
- That it must be constantly on the alert for ways of improving and increasing its programme of activities.
- The crucial need to assist were possible in making their members most profitable.
WE HAVE
An ongoing dialogue with manufacturers and suppliers and continually represent members’ interest with them. Many of our suppliers show their support of the aims of IFRA by becoming Associate members – they value the liaison and contact with their customers.
Only half the Association costs are derived from subscription income which enables us to keep the subscription fee economically low in relation to the services provided and the benefits available to members.
The Independent Footwear Retailers Association
P.O. Box 123, Banbury, Oxfordshire OX15 6WB
Tel. 01295 738 726 – Fax. 01295 738 275
email: admin@shoeshop.org.uk
www.shoeshop.org.uk
A company Limited by Guarantee and registered in England No. 3359448
