SmallBUZZ Talks final

28
In recent years, the retail
landscape of town centres
across the country has been
rapidly changing. With the
rise of e-commerce stores,
many town centres have
been struggling to keep up.
Microshops are a new and
exciting trend that is
changing the face of retail in
town centres across the
country and they are now
here in Northampton.
We were able to talk more
about this with Natalie
Cotton, a team member.
“Helping small business
owners come into high
street” - Natalie
A microshop is a small,
independent retail space
pods for individual
entrepreneurs or small
businesses, and while they
can offer a small selection of
products in the market. From
artisanal foods to handmade
crafts, anyone can bring
thier creativity and
innovation to town centres
across the country.
“Inside a town centre, inside
a retail unit” - Natalie
“We identify an empty space
in the shopping centre on a
high street, and create small
pods to rent to individuals
on flexible terms and
affordable rates, inclusive
of electricity and business
rates”
One of the key advantages
of microshops is their
flexibility. Because they are
small, they can be rented at
a fraction of the cost of a
traditional retail space. This
makes it easier for
entrepreneurs and small
businesses to get started
without taking on the
burden of high overhead
costs. Additionally, because
microshops are so small,
they can be easily moved or
relocated if necessary. This
allows retailers to test out
new locations and markets
without committing to a
long-term lease.
“They can move out anytime
with one month’s notice” -
Natalie
Natalie Cotton, Special Projects,
PRINCE2 Practitioner
Another advantage of
microshops is their ability to
provide a unique shopping
experience. Because they are
run by individual
entrepreneurs or small
businesses, they would be
able to offer a level of
personalization
and
customization that is difficult
to find in larger retail
spaces. Customers are able to
interact directly with the
shop owner or artisan, and
they are often able to learn
more about the products
they are purchasing and the
story behind them.