The MIA is part of the Independent Retailers Confederation (IRC), which represents more than 100,000 independent retailers across the UK. Through this membership, we are connected to a broad network dedicated to sharing best practice and supporting the development of the independent retail sector.
The MIA and other members of the Independent Retailers Confederation (IRC) are gathering data on independent high street business performance throughout the year in the quarterly Heartbeat Survey.
You can read the 2024–2025 report here – The Heartbeat of Indie Retail: 2024–2025
This time around, we ask you how the Q1 2026 compared to the previous quarter and the same period in 2025. We are also keen to understand members’ confidence levels for the next quarter and the rest of 2026.
The survey takes less than five minutes to complete, and the data will be used to shape our future representation of the independent retail, leisure and hospitality sectors.
The summary results of this survey will be communicated to members at a later stage. Please help us to help you by completing this short survey.
If you have any questions regarding this survey, please email alice@mia.org.uk
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/irchbq126-mia
* Distribution period for the survey is between 7th April 2026 and 11.59pm on 26th April 2026
