Bira - The British Independent Retailers Association
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.
News Archive...
- Now Closed: WIN a Draper Pressure Washer - Prize Draw (16/04/2025)
To celebrate our special Easter deals, you could win a fantastic 1600W Pressure Washer, provided by our supplier Draper. To enter for FREE, like our Facebook post & tag the Mica store you would like to collect the prize from in the comments. Draw closes at midday on Thursday 24th April. Good luck!
View » - Now Closed: WIN a Draper Garden Tool Set! - Prize Draw (03/03/2025)
To celebrate our current special ’Spring Fresh’ deals and to help you get your garden summer ready, you could win a fantastic 11-piece Garden Tool Set, provided by our supplier Draper. To enter for FREE, like our Facebook post & tag the Mica store you would like to collect the prize from in the comments. Draw closes at midday on Friday 7th March. Good luck!
View » - Now Closed: WIN a Selection of Wild Bird Care Products! - Prize Draw (27/01/2025)
Last week we celebrated the Big Garden Birdwatch, and in honour of RSPB’s initiative to raise awareness about our beloved birds, we’ve got a fantastic array of prizes to win for any budding birdwatcher. To enter for FREE, like our Facebook post & tag the Mica store you would like to collect the prize from in the comments. Draw closes at midday on Friday 31st January. Good luck!
View » - Now Closed: WIN a MEGA Self-Inflating Snowman - Prize Draw (25/11/2024)
Now Closed: We’re giving away a Three Kings Mega Self-Inflating Snowman to one lucky winner. Celebrating our current special ’feel festive & shop independent’ deals, you could win a 180cm Mega Self-Inflating Snowman, provided by top Christmas supplier Three Kings.To enter for FREE, like this post & tag the Mica store you would collect the prize from on our Facebook page!
View » - Mica Appoints New Chair (30/09/2024)
Mica Appoints Longstanding Independent Retailer Member Joyce Hall to Replace Departing Chair David Morris after 15 Years Service. Mica’s Co-operative held its Annual AGM 14th September at the De Vere Cotswold Waterpark Hotel outside Cirencester as part of its annual Mica Exchange weekend of business and pleasure, including celebrated Exchange networking event...
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