TRADE NEWS Advertising on social networks will not be invasive Mexx to withdraw from UK retail industry Waterstones aims to improve supply chain Retailers can use domain name to boost online presence Online shoppers unsure of risks Counterfeit goods harming retail industry Majority of internet users shop online Dragon's Den duo see product take off Online sales increase in January Retail sales slow in February Retailers set for Mother's day windfall Mamas & Papas begin retail expansion Independent retailers urged to assess everything Retailers hope to increase internet exposure Ambitious Britons hope to own businesses Retail sales enjoy quarterly growth Retailers retain confidence in the industry Women prepared to walk the earth for retail Retailers urge chancellor to ease burden Retailers urged to curb discounting Internet claiming increasing numbers of high-street shoppers FPB urges competition commission to help smaller retailers Competition commission set to replace code of conduct London retail sales below par in January Online retailers drive to attract new consumers Retailers taking legal obligations seriously UK wholesalers could be shunned by supermarkets US retailers enjoy shock sales rise Women opt for ethical Valentines gifts Retail sales set to face 2008 dip Sales boost January retail figures Retailers set for prosperous Valentine's Day Groups warn on danger of toy imports Government needs to raise small business legal awareness FWD outline annual conference plans Shop price inflation rises eBay abandons buyer negative comments European retail sales dip in December Demand for British goods increases Cashback websites battling high street for customers US wholesale prices increase Organisations to petition bag ban Capital Gains Tax may not be compatible with EU law Archive January trade news 2008   5th February 2008   European retail sales dip in December Retail figures for European nations suffered a two per cent dip year-on-year, new research has revealed. According to new EU statistics, countries with the euro currency saw sales dip in December when compared to figures for the same month in 2006. The slump, which could come as a blow to UK wholesalers supplying goods on the continent, is though to be a direct consequence of higher food and energy prices. The figures varied across western European nations with Belgium suffering a fall of 6.9 per cent. In addition, sales in Spain dropped 1.8 per cent, while France enjoyed a modest 1.9 per cent increase. Sales in Germany, which enjoyed a massive surge in December 2006 due to advance retail to beat new tax laws, fell by 6.7 per cent. Britain fared better than a number of its European counterparts over the period, enjoying a 2.5 per cent increase.     (c) 2008 Adfero Ltd.     Subscribe to The Wholesaler UK regular newsletter featuring trade news, suppliers offers and trade show reminders. . .