National Independents' Week 2008 kicks off

This week indies will be getting involved in the first National Cuppa Day (when retailers will ask shoppers to pop in for a free cuppa and biscuit), and Walk and Shop (when customers will be encouraged to walk to stores to keep healthy and environmentally friendly).

Retailers will also involve customers with charitable volunteering on Volunteer Day or experiment with new products on Samples Day.

The week of events, organised by the My Shop is Your Shop campaign, was launched with high profile inserts in the Daily Mirror and the Scottish Daily Record on May 30.

These inserts included money off coupons across a range of top brands, and retailer profiles on a number of indies who are forging the way in community retailing.

With a number of retailers also hosting street parties to celebrate NIW 2008, this year's campaigns look set to be one of the most successful ever.