NOVEMBER TRADE NEWS Woolworths confirms administration Textile maker claims innocence in fake goods case VAT cut drives Irish shoppers north of the border Woolworths close to administration Chancellor cuts VAT to 15% Retail sector 'being driven by discounts' Lingerie business to focus on wholesale operations Christmas delivers online shopping BRC warns government of pressure on retailers Wholesaler helps small retailers fight Asda Fraudster made £12,000 from eBay scam Scottish consumers 'tightening their belts' Luxury fashion brand enjoys rise in wholesale activity Weak pound benefits Northern Irish retailers Internet helps small retailers to fight downturn London sales superiority over UK 'dwindling' Cambridge retailers fight proposed Tesco opening Wholesale slump for designer clothing company Small retailers 'under threat Post Office to keep card accounts Wind forces trade fair inland Young consumers 'susceptible' to brands Christmas cheer in store for small retailers Local shops play vital community role Retailers told to expect flat sales this Xmas Keep Trade Local campaign comes to London Park Cameras bags Retailer of the Year award Retail sales plummet to three-year low Christmas 'make or break' for small retailers UK traders invited to enter Retail Week Awards Mary Queen of Shops to help Birmingham retailers Scottish Asda store criticised by local resident Low interest rate good news for small firms Markets must support each other, says CGTA Banks urged to pursue small business funding BRC to launch new online retail sales indicator Small retailers voice optimism in Kendal Portsmouth hosts bash for local newsagents Argos under fire for 222% APR store card Emergency funding for ailing small firms Stolen goods warning for Worcestershire retailers Trade News Archive November 08 October 08 September 08 August 08 July 08 June 08 May 08 April 08 March 08 February 08 January 08 Subscribe to our newsletter   Go to The Wholesaler UK Directory  13th November 2008 Christmas cheer in store for small retailers Despite the economic turmoil that has characterised much of 2008, British consumers still intend to spend big this Christmas. That is the conclusion of a report by global consultancy Deloitte, which revealed that 57 per cent of the UK public plan to spend as much on Christmas this year as they did in 2007. Although the research company's annual Christmas Retail Survey found that 24 per cent will likely spend less than they did during last year's festive season, it also highlighted the fact that one in five (19 per cent) aims to spend more. Tarlok Teji, head of retail at Deloitte, noted that consumers plan to spend an average of £655 on Christmas. That is enough to ensure that small retailers across the country can finish a difficult year on a high. He said: "Although this Christmas may be one of the toughest in decades, retailers have been toughing it out for most of the year. We think the talk of Christmas being cancelled is overplayed." Earlier this week, the British Shops and Stores Association suggested that the run-up to Christmas will provide small retailers with a "make or break" chance to overcome effects of the credit crunch.   (c) 2008 Adfero Ltd. Comment on this news story