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 Digital Black Air Fryer provided by Statesman Appliances - Prize Draw (30/10/2025)
To celebrate our current special offers brochure, ’No Tricks, Treat Yourself to Great Prices’, you can win an Air Fryer provided by Statesman Appliances! 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 1pm on Monday 3rd November. Good luck!
View » - Now Closed: WIN a 1600W Pressure Washer provided by Hilka Tools - Prize Draw (25/09/2025)
To celebrate our current special offers brochure, ’Shop Independent This Autumn’, you can win a Pressure Washer provided by Hilka Tools! 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 Monday 29th September. Good luck!
View » - Now Closed: WIN an Assortment of Tools From Stanley Black & Decker - Prize Draw (03/09/2025)
To celebrate our current special offers brochure, ’Local Service with a Smile!’, you can win a bundle of tools supplied by Stanley Black & Decker! 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 Sunday 7th September. Good luck!
View » - Now Closed: WIN a Selection of Car Care Products - Prize Draw (04/08/2025)
To celebrate our current special offers brochure, ’Snap Up Our Offers - While You Can’ you can win a selection of Car Care products supplied by Triplewax & including Rocket TT! 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 8th August. Good luck!
View » - Now Closed: WIN a Selection of Garden Irrigation Products - Prize Draw (30/06/2025)
To celebrate our current special, ’Sizzling Independent Savings’, you can win a selection of Garden Irrigation Products supplied by Evergreen Garden Care & including Miracle-Gro items! 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 4th July. Good luck!
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