JULY TRADE NEWS Independent retailers are working hard to keep prices down Summer sales fail to help independent retailers Retailers resist pressure to go out of business Wholesaler praises Exeter's transport links Online system revealed to help local retailers Rural post office alternative does not have the funding to help businesses Independent retailers 'set to benefit from online sales boom' Suffolk market town to be transformed with new high street retail development Independent electric retailers struggle as sales slow Couple reveal joys of independent retailing Retail sales slump after May’s blip Small businesses urged to reduce energy usage Independents prepare for 3rd Vodafone boycott Government plans welcomed by retailers Independent booksellers join forces to compete Better training for retail workers Large firms take advantage of small wholesalers Sheffield authorities donate fake goods to overseas charity Economic downturn prompts calls for business rent change Falling sales hit business confidence CCTV 'can help retailers improve sales' Wholesaler uses government system to measure environmental impact Bosses 'don't feel they can take holidays' Niche service 'helped new business compete with national wholesalers' Midlands village ditches plastic bags Post office closures 'will hurt local retailers' eBay wins US court case over fake jewellery Retailers and residents join forces to protest new supermarkets Retail sales dip in June Retailer blames supplier after fake goods conviction Independent retailers boycott Vodafone Small business owners 'plan to stick with their companies for many years' Small businesses would have welcomed rate cut Businesses 'not surprised by rate hold' FSB calls for support for local retailers Small retailers 'increasingly face court over grey market goods' Around the world in a tea daze Politicians urged to always consider the smallest businesses Report warns small businesses fear recession Government looks to alter planning law to protect small retailers Small businesses are 'saving to guard against recession' UK sites handle £800m worth of fake goods every year Lack of disposable income 'could affect' retailers Yorkshire police link fake goods with drug trade Northern Irish retailers to fight Tesco plan UK business 'understand the importance of a good internet presence' Buggy manufacturers make it hard for retailers to sell online British consumers 'happy to buy fake goods' Kew retailers stop offering plastic bags More retailers 'will go bust this year' Welsh officials educate public on fake goods Attempts to save Devon post offices UK businesses threatened by rising fraud   Trade News Archive July 08 June 08 May 08 April 08 March 08 February 08 January 08 Subscribe to our newsletter   Go to The Wholesaler UK Directory 21st July 2008 Falling sales hit business confidence Tumbling sales mean that small businesses in the UK are concerned about their future prospects, a new study has indicated. The latest Business in Britain survey from Lloyds TSB Commercial showed that eight per cent more businesses believed their order books, profits and sales would be lower in six months time than thought these things would have improved in the period. According to the research, firms are basing their gloomy predictions on poor sales in the first half of the year. In fact, only six per cent more businesses said sales rose in the first six months of 2008 than said they dropped. Interestingly, companies from London and the east are more optimistic about their future. What's more, companies that sell overseas are also more hopeful they can weather the economic storm that is widely predicted. In total, 35 per cent of the companies questioned said they plan to sell more goods abroad in the coming months. "The challenging economic climate is putting businesses to the test. And with sales and profits squeezed, it's no surprise that so many firms are suffering a lack of confidence," commented John Maltby, the managing director at Lloyds TSB Commercial. "But the reality is that many firms will be able to weather this storm … With the right support and financial help, there are lots of opportunities for strong businesses to continue growing."   (c) 2008 Adfero Ltd.   Comment on this news story To comment on any story please click on the above link, put the story title in the subject line and please provide your name, trading style ie. retailer or wholesaler and the town where you trade.