BAseline (previously known as the Fitness Programme) was established by the BA’s Independent Booksellers Forum to help independent booksellers could gain more insight into their business and improve their business performance. In complete confidence, participating bookshops provide data on key fitness indicators such as trading space, opening hours, staff numbers, turnover, margins and overheads. The average and best performance for each measure is calculated.

What is BAseline?

How can BAseline help my bookshop?

• - Benchmark their 'fitness' against the sector.
• - Identify key areas of growth across the sector.
• - Highlight key areas for improvement.
• - Drive business strategies.
• - Negotiate better deals with suppliers and bank managers.
• - Review staff costs.

What do I get from BAseline?

• - You have free access to a mentor who can help you fill out your BAseline survey spreadsheet*
• - You receive a report on the independent sector which helps highlight the areas of your business which need attention.

• - You receive a personalised report with constructive, actionable data. The report will show how you compare against the average and best performer for all participating bookshops and for bookshops of a similar size and type to you. The report looks at a variety of measures including sales growth, sales per square metre, stock turn, margins and overheads. 
• - You have free access to a mentor who can help you interpret the reports and offer professional advice on your business development plans.*
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• *The mentors are provided for free to members in conjunction with the Unwin Charitable Trust Mentoring Programme, Visit www.unwincharitabletrust.org.uk or email Margaret Wilson for further details.
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• “It shakes you out of any complacency when you see how other shops are doing.”
  Kevin Ramage, The Watermill Bookshop
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What information do I have to provide and how?

How can I take part?