Thrive with us in 2025

When we work together, we can achieve more than we ever could on our own.

It’s time to thrive

The AIS buying group is the UK and Ireland’s leading fashion, home, and leisure buying group for independent retail.

Thrive now

Thriving independently

We’re a membership of buying power, creativity, and expertise.

Join AIS

Thrive together

Be part of a global partnership of suppliers and brands that give independents a point of difference.

Join Now

Thrive with us in 2025

When we work together, we can achieve more than we ever could on our own.

It’s time to thrive

The AIS buying group is the UK and Ireland’s leading fashion, home, and leisure buying group for independent retail.

Thrive now

Why Associated Independent Stores?

We’re here as a buying group for independent retailers. AIS is a membership organisation that celebrates individuality and entrepreneurship. We make sure every member thrives by combining all our strengths, buying power, creativity, and expertise. With collective retail sales of £1.5 billion, suppliers and brands from around the world are eager to partner with us.

Buying and Trade Shows

A major benefit of our membership is access to our regular INDX trade shows, where Members can preview and buy products and take advantage of exclusive deals. INDX trade shows are organised by our in-house industry experts to showcase products across furniture, fashion, homeware, flooring, toys, and sports.

Become a Member of AIS and gain access to the best buying opportunities and discounts from major suppliers. Additional benefits include:

Member experience

An unparalleled end-to-end service focused on driving profit for you.

Easy payments

A bespoke central payment system (CENPAC) saves time and money.

Innovation

Innovation-led buying and product merchandising services.

Global supplier network

Access to our portfolio of market-leading brands and product ranges.

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Our Products and Services

We have a team of highly respected buying experts in home, fashion, leisure, sports, and toys. We source the best brands, suppliers and exclusive products and we develop exclusive own label ranges. Our teams negotiate exclusive deals and discounts as well as providing essential, commercially driven services to support the independent retailer.

Furniture Buying

Furniture is at the heart of the AIS buying group. We give independent retailers access to new, bestselling, and exclusive furniture products across upholstery, cabinet, bedroom, lighting, accessories, and garden.

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Homeware Buying

From well-known brands to exclusively sourced ranges across cookware, kitchenware, small electricals, dining, glassware, home fragrance, and home textiles, AIS is the UK and Ireland’s leading homeware buying group.

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a customer looking through the womens wear apparel

Fashion Buying

Explore men's, women's, and kids ranges across fashion, accessories, and footwear. With access to exclusive brands, a strong focus on lifestyle, high street, and high-end names, plus our own label First Avenue.

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Flooring Buying

The AIS Flooring One team offers Members the best quality, largest, and most innovative selection of floor coverings in the UK and Ireland, with a wide variety of traditional and contemporary products to suit every room of the house.

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independent retail owner serving a customer

Retail Buying and Merchandising

A one-stop-shop of retail industry expertise, supporting with annual strategy and planning, buying, and brand selection - all designed to improve margins and profitability.

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Sports and Leisure Buying

Our newest division, the AIS sports and leisure team work with leading sports, active lifestyle, performance wear, and team wear suppliers with a focus on innovation, expertise, and quality.

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toys from the largest buying group in the uk

Toy Buying

Playroom is the home of market-leading toy brands as well as unique and sustainable products for children and nursery. As an AIS Member you can get access to exclusive margin-beating import programmes too.

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Easy Payments

CENPAC is our unique AIS central payment system. CENPAC enables Members to settle all invoices from our preferred AIS suppliers with one easy and convenient direct-debit payment.

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Become a Member

Join our thriving membership today. Stay proudly independent but have access to global brands, our leading central payment facility, innovation-led buying and merchandising, and VIP access to the busiest trade-buying calendar of events in the sector.

AIS membership

Become a Supplier

Support independent retail. Join our global partnership of brands and suppliers. Create points of difference for our Members, reap the benefits of our one-stop payment system, and grow your business by partnering with the UK and Ireland’s leading buying group for fashion, home, and leisure.

Be an AIS supplier