TRADE NEWS Return of cash ideal for small firms Mayoral candidates urged to engage small businesses High street stores could decline in the face of online retailers Sainsbury's to increase non-food retail Wholesalers could be hit by rising manufacturing costs Technology easing wholesale operations Government urged to tackle corporation tax Carrier bag charges receive consumer backing Credit crunch not dampening online retail spirits Domain name important for small firms Retailers urged to act on climate change Councils urged to help small businesses Borough Market wins prestigious accolade Small retailers web presence vital London retailers thriving despite crunch Thornaby shopping centre to provide space for small retailers Sir Phillip advises retailers to be inventive Retailers property prospects not harmed by crunch Chamber launches new eco-shopping bag Retailers confident despite crunch Small retailers could face legal changes Online fashion retailers drive women to the internet Interest rate cut provides wholesaler boost Online sales set to break £100b mark Independent retailers spring up in the north-east Small retailers face taxation worries Training could boost performance of independent retailers Independent retailers increase online advertising spend Dragon's Den contestant boosts business Google advises independent e-retailers Complex legal changes confusing independent retailers Online retailers urged to address consumer concerns Web sales increase over the Easter period M&S provide green example for independent retailers Retailers back BBFC control of video games Shoppers reject plastic bag tax New regulations unlikely to threaten retailers right to offer 'buy one get one free' Mothercare sales boost retail hopes New campaign to help under-prepared retailers Independent retailers receive legal boost bssa Sales Monitor survey launched Brighton Gift Fair is back Wholesalers and retailers slam property tax changes   Trade News Archive   April 08   March 08   February 08   January 08 Subscribe to our newsletter   Go to The Wholesaler UK Directory 11th April 2008 Interest rate cut provides wholesaler boost The government's decision to cut interest rates by 0.25 per cent could provide a welcome boost for businesses, including wholesalers and retailers, experts have claimed. According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) the rate cut could help facilitate an increase in consumer spending, helping wholesalers to increase the sale of goods to retailers. Stephen Robertson, the director general of the BRC, said: "This interest rate cut will give customers and retailers a much needed boost. "With consumer confidence at its lowest level for 15 years, customers are reining in their spending and every prudent retailer is looking at cost-cutting more seriously than for some time." He added: "Retailers are absorbing many of the input cost increases and intense retail competition means that non-food prices are actually falling, while food price inflation is slowing." Meanwhile, according to recent research compiled by the Advertising Bureau, PricewaterhouseCoopers and World Advertising Research Centre, the online UK firms spent £2.8 billion on advertising - a 38 per cent increase year-on-year.   (c) 2008 Adfero Ltd