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eBay sellers urged to identify wholesalers
Professional sellers trading through online auction site eBay have been encouraged to protect themselves from the effects of the economic downturn by identifying alternative wholesalers.
Rise in minimum wage would hurt small retailers
Many small retailers will find it impossible to pay their wage bill if the National Minimum Wage (NMW) is increased next year, it has been claimed.
Consumers eager for Boxing Day sales
With their Christmas dinners barely digested, more than five million people hit the shops on Boxing Day hungry for the sales.
Fake clothing & fashions pair sentenced
A husband and wife from the north-west who sold nearly half a million pounds worth of counterfeit designer clothing and footwear have been sentenced to time in prison, it has been reported.
Independent stores receive late December boost
A number of independent traders in Suffolk experienced an increase in sales in the run up to Christmas.
Oxfam troubled by lack of donations
Suggestions that charity shops in the UK flourish in times of economic crisis have been rubbished by Oxfam, it has been reported.
Many retail chains could collapse in New Year, warns insolvency expert
The New Year could bring bad tidings for a number of the UK's smaller retail chains, it has been suggested.
Rosebys collapse affects Manchester wholesalers
The collapse of soft furnishings retailer Rosebys has had an adverse affect on a number of wholesalers based in Greater Manchester, it has been reported.
Working hours ruling affects small retailers
In a move that could have a significant affect on the retail industry during a difficult time, European minister's have voted to end the UK's opt-out from the Working Time Directive.
Last-minute shoppers 'rescuing stores'
Retail activity began picking up in the last days before Christmas as tens of thousands of last-minute shoppers packed out high streets across the nation, it has been reported.
Slowdown could hurt Irish retail
Struggling retailers in Ireland could cut more than 30,000 jobs in 2009 as the sector prepares to endure two more years of declining spending, a stockbroker has warned.
New figures show November sales rise
Retail sales took an unanticipated turn in November, rising by 1.5 per cent over last year, according to official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
BRC helps small retailers with rent agreements
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has produced a template letter to help small retailers ask their landlords for permission to pay rent monthly.
January 5th set as Woolworths closing date
Failing retailer Woolworths is to close all of its stores by January 5th, administrator Deloitte has confirmed.
Pre-Christmas discounts rise to epic proportions
Retailers are slashing their prices by massive amounts in the run-up to Christmas as they frantically attempt to shift stock.
Counterfeit DVD seller a Christmas turkey
An unlucky DVD seller made a bit of a gaffe when he tried to peddle his dodgy wares to punters in a Lambeth pub who just happened to by Trading Standards officers.
Parking restrictions 'hurt local trade'
Parking restrictions are denting crucial Christmas trade in many of the UK's town and village high streets.
Councillors block Tesco store plan
Supermarket giant Tesco has had plans for a new store near Bradford thrown out by local councillors, a regional newspaper reports.
Inflation squeezing small retailers
Small and independent shop owners face a 9.3 per cent annual increase in their costs, new research has revealed.
Cardiff's historic arcades 'under threat'
Some of Wales' most cherished shopping arcades are struggling to cope in the face of mounting financial pressure and falling sales, it has been reported.
Grim London sales 'beginning to improve'
Retail sales in the UK capital fell for the third consecutive month in November, with the month recording a 0.4 per cent decline compared to last year.
Rural retailers 'silent victims' this Christmas
Local retailers in rural areas are among the silent victims of the credit crunch this Christmas, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has warned.
New JK Rowling title 'in short supply'
JK Rowling's The Tale of Beedle the Bard will likely be hard to come by this Christmas, as it maintains course to become the fastest-selling book of 2008 in the UK.
700 jobs lost at CD and DVD wholesaler
Things have gone from bad to worse for Entertainment UK (EUK), with confirmation that more than 700 jobs will be lost after a buyer could not be found.
Smoking display refits to cost small firms thousands
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has added its voice to the growing discontent surrounding government plans to force retailers to sell tobacco products under the counter.
Tobacco ruling could adversely affect small shops
Government plans to force retailers to sell tobacco products under the counter could prove disastrous for small shops.
2009 will be 'tough' but there are reasons for optimism
The next 12 months will be difficult for retailers but there are still reasons to remain optimistic.
Buyer on the horizon for books wholesaler?
Bertram Books, the wholesale book seller, could potentially be on the cusp of securing a buyer, it has been suggested.
Woolworths struggling to find buyer, facing closure
Troubled retailer Woolworths is struggling to find a buyer and has launched a closing down sale.
Troubled book wholesaler 'praised by independents'
Independent book sellers have voiced their support for troubled wholesaler Bertram Books.
Online shopping soars on 'Mega Monday'
Online retailers experienced one of the best days of sales so far this year earlier this week, new figures have revealed.
Consumers taking advantage of sales
Shoppers in the UK are taking advantage of pre-Christmas sales, new research has indicated.
Support for independent retailers encouraged
Local councillors and business leaders from Sheffield are encouraging consumers to support independent shops.
Support for independent retailers encouraged
Local councillors and business leaders from Sheffield are encouraging consumers to support independent shops.
Rogue eBay trader fined £500k and jailed for one year
A man from who was caught selling counterfeit Nike trainers via online auction site eBay has been given a huge fine and a prison sentence.
Pedestrianisation plans opposed by retailers
Plans to pedestrianise a popular shopping area of Loughborough have been met with staunch opposition from several local retailers.
Shoppers to maximise use of internet this Christmas
A huge number of consumers will be using the internet to help them with their Christmas shopping this year, new research has indicated.
Local retailers band together in face of adversity
A group of local retailers in Liverpool have banded together in order to beat the credit crunch.
Counterfeit consoles flooding UK
Hundreds of fake games consoles and power adaptors are entering into the UK and could be putting Christmas consumers' lives at risk, it has been claimed.
Wholesaler collapse stalls internet sales for Zavvi
High street retailer Zavvi has suspended its online service following the collapse of music and entertainment wholesaler EUK.
Retailers warned of business rates 'stealth tax'
Small retailers in many local authorities could find themselves burdened with new tax pressures following the announcement of the Business Rate Supplementary (BRS) bill in the Queen's Speech yesterday.
Customer care vital to online sales
With more internet users now sharing their shopping experiences with others, it has become crucial for small retailers to ensure that they provide high-quality customer service online.
Toys and games wholesaler collapses
One of the country's leading toy and stationary wholesalers, J A Magson, has fallen into administration.
Internet revenue to increase 10% this Christmas
The British shopping public is to spend £4.7 billion online this Christmas, an increase of ten per cent compared to last year, according to new research.
Retailers losing out from VAT cut
Far from benefitting from the recently introduced VAT cut through increased trade, many smaller retailers could actually find themselves losing money on every sale.
Small supplier battling the big guns
Small businesses are often the hardest squeezed at times of economic strife. But despite the credit crunch, some small wholesale suppliers are not only taking on the big guns, they are also beating them.
Little hope for Christmas shopping boost
With high street sales falling more sharply than many had expected, new research suggests that hope is dwindling for a Christmas retail boost this month.
New factory benefits batteries wholesaler
Coventry-based wholesaler RAM Enterprise has enjoyed a quick start to operations in its new warehouse, it has been revealed.
Admin costs of VAT cut hurting small retailers
With the introduction today (December1st) of the 2.5 per cent VAT rate cut, many small retailers still believe that the costs of administering the cut far outweigh the benefits.
Dragon ponders bid for Woolworths
Dragons' Den entrepreneur Theo Paphitis is lining himself up as one of a number of potential bidders for the Woolworths retail chain, according to the BBC.
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