Celebrating our members, suppliers, and shared history.

“Fifty years of fair deals. Here’s to fifty more.”

“My father joined as a Member in 1978, I took over in 2005, and now my daughter is learning the ropes. Three generations of our family have sat around AIS tables, swapped stories at trade shows and leaned on the team when times were hard. Every visit from the regional team has felt like a visit from old friends rather than a business meeting. Here’s to the next generation, and to fifty more years of looking after independent retailers.”

“Opening day of our second store, with the AIS team cutting the ribbon.”

“I remember the conference in 1994 when the whole room stayed up until three in the morning talking about the future of the trade. Half of what we predicted came true, and the other half we’re still laughing about. Those conversations shaped how a whole generation of independents thought about buying together.”

“I still remember my first AIS conference in 1996. I was a nervous new owner who had just taken over the family shop, and by the end of the first evening I had a notebook full of advice from people who had been doing this for decades. That generosity has never changed. Whenever we have needed help, whether it was a tricky supplier, a full refit or a long quiet winter, someone at AIS has picked up the phone, and many of the people I met that first year are still friends today. Congratulations on fifty years, and thank you for making independent retail feel a lot less lonely.”

“Happy 50th!”