Let’s face it: Being an independent retailer is tough. From ensuring you have the right products in stock at the right time, to hiring and training employees, to ensuring memorable customer experiences, independent retailers have a mountain of things to deal with.

And it’s all that much more difficult when a big box retailer opens just outside of town. Whether we’re talking about homegrown big boxes like Tesco or Sainsbury’s, or international outfits like Aldi, or even Amazon, the truth is that these megastores do real and serious damage to smaller retailers. In 2024, for example, the UK saw over 10,000 store closures, the majority of which were independent retailers. Many high-street independent shops have noticed a severe decline in footfall traffic, as the larger retailers draw shoppers away from city centers.

The good news is that independent retailers have the ability to fight back, even if they don’t have the budgets to compete. It’s the ultimate David vs Goliath battle, and here’s how you can win it.

Build Your Brand

Perhaps the most important thing you can do is focus on building a brand that’s recognizable for all the right reasons. Keep in mind that your brand isn’t just your logo; it’s how people feel about your business.

And that’s your competitive advantage: You can create a strong brand by providing customers with a personal, human touch. Big boxes tend not to care about their customers nearly as much, despite what their marketing might say. Offer a different, better shopping experience, though, and you’ll likely win customer’s hearts for life.

Focus on Stocking Quality Products

Selling quality products at a reasonable costs, while also providing excellent customer experiences, is a sure-fire recipe to win customers away from big box retailers. Shoppers may be drawn to the scale and pricing power of national chains, but they still crave reliability, durability, and a sense of confidence in what they’re buying. Customers notice when a local retailer curates products that genuinely perform. And they associate that consistency with trust, which big-box stores struggle to manufacture at scale.

Right-size Your Stock Levels

Speaking of stocking your shelves, smart stock control is another area where small retailers can quietly outmanoeuvre big-box competitors. Overstocking ties up cash, clutters shelves, and forces discounting, which erode margins fast. Understocking is just as damaging, because every, “Sorry, we’re out of that,” moment pushes a customer straight into the arms of a competitor, and likely a national chain that always seems to have endless inventory. The sweet spot is a lean, responsive stock strategy that keeps best-sellers available without drowning the business in slow-moving items.

This is where independents can leverage their agility. Big-box retailers rely on long forecasting cycles and rigid replenishment systems, which means they’re often slow to react to local trends or sudden shifts in demand. A small retailer, on the other hand, can adjust orders weekly, test new products in small batches, and quickly drop anything that isn’t performing. That flexibility keeps cash flowing, reduces waste, and ensures customers see a fresh, relevant product mix every time they visit.

Improve Efficiency through Technology

One thing big box retailers do very well is using technology to increase efficiency and reduce costs. While you might not need a huge software suite that can manage thousands of locations, there are plenty of affordable options for small businesses that do the same things big boxes do.

For example, it’s a good idea to have a Customer Relationship Management software that integrates with your till and collates all customer orders. This can empower you to better track customer purchases and preferences and conduct targeted marketing. That can include (but isn’t limited to) sending birthday-based promotions, letting customers know their favorite products are in stock, or nudging them into the store if they haven’t been over a given time period.

There’s also no reason why you can’t offer online ordering, or click and collect, type services. Today’s EPOS systems enable you to offer digitally-based services that today’s customers expect.

Want to know more about how your EPOS system can help you compete with big box retailers. Let Everything EPOS show you the way! Contact our EPOS specialists to discuss your business challenges and how your EPOS system can help you overcome them!