Category

Independent Operator of the Year

Entered By

The Potteries Centre

Why did you want to enter The Revo’s?

Because The Revo’s are all about celebrating fresh thinking and fearless innovation and Yellow by Keep it Local has both in spades (and possibly in handmade pottery). We’ve taken the classic department store and given it a heart, turning retail into a celebration of small business, sustainability and community. Entering The Revo’s felt like the perfect way to show that independent retail isn’t just surviving — it’s shining bright yellow and thriving.

What makes your entry standout?

Because it’s the kind of shop that makes people smile before they’ve even bought anything. Yellow by Keep it Local is a department store with a difference — every shelf tells a story, every product supports a dream, and every sale gives back to the community. It’s packed with local creativity, brimming with optimism and powered by a business model that’s as fair as it is innovative. Keep it Local has bottled the feeling of “shopping small” and scaled it up – responsibly, joyfully and with a big splash of yellow.

How do you envision the future of your industry, and how do you hope to contribute to it?

We believe the future of retail belongs to collaboration, not competition. It’s about giving local makers a national stage, making shopping feel personal again, and designing business models that do good while doing well. Our vision is for a retail landscape where ethical, sustainable, community-first stores aren’t the exception — they’re the norm. Yellow by Keep it Local is leading that charge, proving that when small businesses work together, they can create something very big indeed.

What one word best summarises your entry?

Uplifting