Street parties hosted by independent retailers are central to plans for this summer's National Independents' Week.

All retailers will be urged to stage parties, while NIW organisers will try to win maximum publicity by generating coverage for one major event in each of the 12 regional television areas.

These high-profile events will be managed by a retailer who has received coaching on how to make the most of media opportunities during the week.

A protocol offering all independents guidance on organising parties will be published soon.

NIW is the focal point of the My Shop is Your Shop campaign, and runs nationwide from 4 June. Organised by the Federation of Wholesale Distributors, it is in its fourth year - but this is the first time it has been run over a full week.

Organisers are hoping to more than double the number of retailers taking part. This year, 5,000 free campaign kits, including t-shirts, caps, balloons, badges and window stickers, will be sent out.

Last year demand outstripped supply, with 3,000 retailers and wholesalers applying for the 2,200 kits available.

The t-shirts will feature brands from suppliers supporting the campaign, who are also funding money-off coupons to be published in the Daily Mirror and Daily Record on 1 June. The coupons will give consumers savings on brands such as Walkers Sensations, Birds Eye Quarter Pounders, Guinness Draught and Bulmers Original.

One of the biggest savings allows shoppers to save £1 on selected bottles of Rosemount wines.

Suppliers will also get involved in other ways. Constellation Wines, for example, will be staging wine tastings in independent stores.

A total of 6.35 million people will see the discount coupons, said Alan Toft, chairman of MSYS.

"It's important to get the message across to shoppers," he added. "There is great power in community retailing."