So at retra we understand that money is a big motivating force behind any small business.  For this very reason, we have negotiated a range of fantastic benefits - financial and otherwise - to help keep independent electrical retailers in business.  

Financial benefits

If your heart sinks a little when a customer pays by credit card, you will find some welcome relief with retra's specially agreed credit card processing rates.  We have worked with the leading banks to offer you the very best deals, which mean you never need to give away more of your profits than you have to.

If however, your customers would prefer to pay over a period of time, some great terms are available across a wide range of retail credit schemes including Buy Now Pay Later, interest free and chargeable credit.  Attractive profit margins are available through our extended warranties operated by retra Warranty Services Ltd, and for peace of mind, we negotiate great deals on business insurance.

Training

In my experience, the best way to encourage customers to part with their money is to treat them well.  With this in mind, retra organises regional training opportunities to help you and your staff develop new sales techniques. 

Support

To help keep the presence of independents in the public eye, we list all our members on the public area of retra's website.  Consumers can search easily for their local retra member by postcode or town.  Members of retra also abide by a code of practice, which reassures customers that they are buying their products from a trusted and reputable dealer. 

Not only are we interested in improving your relationships with consumers; we want to improve your relationships with suppliers.   

At retra, we are well placed to approach manufacturers and other industry organisations on behalf of independent retailers to resolve problems and explore new opportunities.  In the past year we have met with Sony, Loewe, Indesit Company and Freesat - to name but a few.  In the coming months we're also meeting with Miele, Freeview and Glen Dimplex Home Appliances.   

Events

I am enormously proud of our Annual Industry Conference, which always features an exciting programme of news, views and events.  This year's conference in Portugal was a sell-out event, which is no surprise given the quality of the speakers and the practical advice on offer to small businesses.  

We also organise regional centre meetings throughout the year, which enable you to catch up with fellow retailers and discuss issues affecting your area.  

Legislation and business advice

It may not be the most exciting or glamorous part of our job, but retra reads through government documents and pick out the parts that matter to independent retailers.  We recommend changes for your benefit and when legislation comes into effect, we pass that information on to you in a language that's easy to understand.

We also operate a business advice line, which covers just about all the issues that could affect a small businesses.  So whether you're in a pickle over retirement, new staff, maternity benefits, tribunals, employment contracts, recycling or health and safety - we're the people to call. 

As well as preparing a monthly column for IER, retra produces its own members' magazine packed with information about the industry.  In addition to this glossy bi-monthly publication, we send out a monthly e-newsletter, which updates members on the latest news. The members of retra also have exclusive access to a special area of the website www.retra.co.uk.  This contains legislation, hot-off-the press news, useful contact details and a forum where retailers can share their views.

So if you're interested in becoming a retra member, please call us on 01234 269110 or email retra@retra.co.uk 

With the range of benefits on offer, can you really afford to miss out?

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