The Independent Retailers’ Confederation (IRC), has announced a special category in its annual Britain’s Best Small Shop of 2020 competition to find the best store that has adapted to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Best Small Shops Competition will relaunch on ‘Independents’ Day’, (Saturday 4th July), to honour the return of the independent retail industry to UK high streets and shopping centres.

Judges will be seeking entries from independents that are demonstrating specific innovation to combat the impact of coronavirus in a new award category sponsored by booost, the gifting and promotions app.

The IRC is a group of multi-sector trade organisations representing over 100,000 indie retailers throughout the UK.

Mark Walmsley, Chair of the IRC, said: “It is widely recognised just how challenging it has been for many independent retailers during the months of Covid-19 lockdown – those who have had to close their doors and those considered essential who were able to trade throughout.

“The pandemic has not only brought about challenges such as reduced income but also extensive complexities resulting in the evident need for re-invention.”

The annual competition highlights the best of Britain’s independent retail sector, celebrating the commitment and creativity of independent retailers and the central role they play within their communities.

Previous winners have included Bristol-based delicatessen Papadeli in 2019,and The Mainstreet Trading Company, a combined bookshop, café, deli & homeware shop in St Boswells, Scotland, which won in 2018.

“Despite the challenging retail environment, there is bountiful evidence that people value and believe it is important to support their local independent retailers,” added Mr Walmsley. “These shops are at the heart of communities up and down the country, offering a meeting place, not to mention choice, diversity, innovation and genuine customer service.”

Entries for all award categories in this year’s competition close on Friday, September 11th.

For more information about the Best Small Shops competition, click here.