Bira (British Independent Retailers Association) officially launched its new online trading site Neartoo this week (March 7). Dedicated to independents, the unique site aims to help high streets recover from the pandemic and responds to consumer desires to support local shops.
The Woodbridge Kitchen Company in Suffolk, Cutlers Home Store in Nottingham, Papyrus in Glasgow and Coppers Direct in Norfolk and Suffolk are among the cookshops and independent housewares stockists that have already signed up to the platform.
Neartoo allows shoppers to find out what they are ‘near to’ and encourage them to explore more local shops to where they live or are visiting, but also be able to shop further afield and know they are still supporting independent traders.
With individual profiles for every retailer, the site provides contact details and directions to independents around the UK, with many retailers offering home delivery or click and collect directly through Neartoo. Importantly, Neartoo complements physical stores and helps indies move to a hybrid model of retailing. Shop owners can sync their existing online sales platform or create their own through the platform in a cost-effective way.
The platform, which has taken around 12 months to be developed, also will be offering shoppers rewards when they shop Indie with Neartoo Local Rewards for each purchase, creating points that can be redeemed with all Neartoo Sellers.
On launching the site, Jayne Weldon, ecommerce manager for Neartoo acknowledged: “It’s so important that we support the high street especially now restrictions have been lifted as it will give our local businesses that added boost they need to get back on their feet after what has been a very turbulent two years.”
Top: Home & Kitchen is one of the categories on Neartoo.
