Independent Retailers are facing their toughest challenge since the rise of the national chains in the 1930’s. Today, bricks-and-mortar retailers have become convenient showrooms for the Internet Giants. But, there is a remarkably simple way that the High Street can fight back. It’s called Minimum Advertised Pricing or MAP and it’s legal in America. Simply put this means that Suppliers can agree the minimum price that their goods can be advertised for either on the Internet or in store. This is not the same as price fixing because customers are still free to negotiate a discount with the retailer at the point of purchase.

The biggest challenge that bricks-and-mortar retailers have is customers who are armed and ready with big discounts from the Internet on their smart phones. The problem is that customers want to see products and expect expert advice from the Independent Retailers but they don’t want to pay for the privilege. On average the overheads for an independent retailer with a showroom is 3 times higher than their online counterpart. So how can they compete?

MAP is a win-win because it will save many independent retailers from closing their doors and customers will continue to have somewhere to see products that need to be seen. If we do nothing there will come a time when the High Street will be free of independent traders and full of national chain stores and coffee shops. This is your opportunity to make a difference. With your help we will lobby the government on your behalf to change the law and save the High Street’s Independent Retailers.

Please sign this epetition to help save local retailers such as Sussex Lighting.

Thank you.