TRADE NEWS Clothing spending falls early Government agencies 'should be more proactive' CBI asks mayor candidates to support firms Growth is 'main problem for new retailers' No need to be wary online, say experts Minimum wage hike could affect retail employment Retailers should update websites regularly BRC expects victory in Visa investigation UK to spend £8bn over Easter Retail slows in Scotland Easter sales moving online Pet clothing retail growing Niche retailers should sell their benefits to landlords London retail sales up on 2006 Weak high street sees profits drop for French Connection Older consumers well informed about online security Government could bring in carrier bag legislation British take-up of fair-trade highlights importance of ethical retailing Dragons' Den entrepreneur to help launch academy Economic downturn could hit retailers hard Sales continue sluggish performance into February Shoppers opting for green retailers Independent retailers fear bad news budget User-generated content could be the key to online independent retailers Shopping centres urged to rethink consumer perceptions UK shoppers lead the way for online continental spending Consumers reveal interest in ethical trading BRC urge bank to make cuts to help retailers Asda pledge to remove disposable carrier bags CBI calls on Darling to cut tax on retailers New retailers agree Grand Arcade leases Defra unveil new packaging targets ISPs should be more accountable for online counterfeit goods sales Retailers reject government plastic bag claims Counterfeit goods harming retail industry Archive March trade news 2008 February trade news 2008 January trade news 2008   6th March 2008   Asda pledge to remove disposable carrier bags Supermarket giant Asda has announced its intentions to remove all disposable carrier bags from its checkouts. The firm will replace all single use bags carriers from the customer packing area from June 1st. Bags will now be available to shoppers on request, with the new policy likely to dramatically cut the number of carriers handed out by the store. Andy Clarke, retail director for the supermarket, revealed that the company would try to improve the uptake of their re-usable carrier bags. “Between now and June we will be retraining all our checkout colleagues, talking to our customers about the changes, and installing new units for the reusable and bags for life," he said "Many of our customers will begin to see the difference in May, with the full rollout completed the first week of June. "We want to make protecting the planet easier and more affordable for our 15 million customers and we believe this is the best way to encourage shoppers to change the habit of a life time and start reusing their bags instead," Mr Clarke added.     (c) 2008 Adfero Ltd.   Find wholesalers and distributors of green and eco friendly products here Subscribe to The Wholesaler UK regular newsletter featuring trade news, suppliers offers and trade show reminders. . .