A two-fingered salute

US citizens everywhere are today celebrating the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In the UK, as a supposed ‘nation of shopkeepers’, we’re celebrating independence of a different sort – that of our retailers.

It’s a day when indies get the recognition they deserve for trading alongside the big boys, offering a point of difference on their local high street, and often helping other local suppliers in the process.

National Independents’ Day is now in its third year and has been getting bigger every year. This year, there’s training and support up for grabs for the first time, and 13 trade associations have given the celebrations their backing.

I’m lucky enough to live in a market town bursting with indies, and this year the town is taking part for the first time. As many as 26 retailers are involved, with promotions, offers and special events all taking place. It’s a similar picture across the UK.

Independence of a different sort is also being celebrated through the launch of the first National Employee Ownership Day.

Kicked off by the government this morning, it’s designed to help boost the size of the sector by ensuring employee ownership is more widely understood and easier to establish.

The grocery sector is, of course, brimming with such companies – from Waitrose and thenumerous co-operative societies, led by The Co-operative Group , through to suppliers such as Divine Chocolate, Ocean Spray and South Caernarfon Creameries.

The government thinks there’s real traction in operating business in this way and from next April will set aside £50m a year to help companies adopt employee-owned models.

Employee ownership is essentially a two-fingered salute to fat-cat business and corporate greed that led us into the difficult economic climate we find ourselves in today. Just like the retailers hanging out the bunting today to celebrate their independence, these businesses show there is another way – and a way that should be encouraged.