Details and rates to join bssa

Subscriptions

Basis
Subscriptions payable are dependent on the size of business, as determined by the value of annual sales turnover excluding VAT. Except for a new business, where a reasonable estimate may be used, the turnover amount will be that relating to the most recent complete trading year.

The subscription is subject to value added tax, and a VAT invoice will be forwarded following payment. The tax will normally be recoverable by VAT registered businesses.

Subscriptions relate to the calendar year and fall due for renewal annually on 1st January. A renewal reminder will be issued a few weeks prior to due date and a VAT invoice will be forwarded following payment.

No refund or partial refund will be made in the event of withdrawal from membership during the year.

Full year rates for 2009 – please contact our membership department for details. Proportionate reductions apply for members joining in the course of the year - telephone membership department on 01295 713333 or email membership@bssa.co.uk for details. To download a membership application form click here.

Membership Categories

Full Member

To be eligible for full membership you must carry on business as a independent retailer in the United Kingdom. This qualifying business activity may be conducted in conjunction with any non-qualifying (eg food retailing) activity. The business may be carried on as a limited company, partnership or sole trader, or in any other legal form.

Associate Member

Associate membership is available to anyone carrying on business as a manufacturer or wholesaler of products, or as a provider of services to the retail industry.

Membership Sectors

The Association is organised into sectors relating to the nature of members' business activities. There are presently two sectors:

Furnishings
Fashions and General Merchandise

Each full member is assigned to one of these sectors depending on which most closely accords with the member's principal business activity. A member may belong to only one sector of membership at any particular time.

Rates for 2009 - full members
Annual turnover (excluding VAT)	Net £	VAT £	Total £
Up to £200,000	166.00	24.90	190.90
£200,001 to £500,000	264.00	39.60	303.60
£500,001 to £1,000,000	424.00	63.60	487.60
£1,000,001 to £3,000,000	557.00	83.55	640.55
£3,000,001 to £10,000,000	680.00	102.00	782.00
Over £10,000,000	931.00	139.65	1,070.65
Rates for 2009 - associate members
Up to £10 million	189.00	28.35	217.35
Over £10 million	525.00	78.75	603.75
The higher rate also applies to associate members wishing to use any of the Association's services, irrespective of turnover.