TRADE NEWS Clothing spending falls early Government agencies 'should be more proactive' CBI asks mayor candidates to support firms Growth is 'main problem for new retailers' No need to be wary online, say experts Minimum wage hike could affect retail employment Retailers should update websites regularly BRC expects victory in Visa investigation UK to spend £8bn over Easter Retail slows in Scotland Easter sales moving online Pet clothing retail growing Niche retailers should sell their benefits to landlords London retail sales up on 2006 Weak high street sees profits drop for French Connection Older consumers well informed about online security Government could bring in carrier bag legislation British take-up of fair-trade highlights importance of ethical retailing Dragons' Den entrepreneur to help launch academy Economic downturn could hit retailers hard Sales continue sluggish performance into February Shoppers opting for green retailers Independent retailers fear bad news budget User-generated content could be the key to online independent retailers Shopping centres urged to rethink consumer perceptions UK shoppers lead the way for online continental spending Consumers reveal interest in ethical trading BRC urge bank to make cuts to help retailers Asda pledge to remove disposable carrier bags CBI calls on Darling to cut tax on retailers New retailers agree Grand Arcade leases Defra unveil new packaging targets ISPs should be more accountable for online counterfeit goods sales Retailers reject government plastic bag claims Counterfeit goods harming retail industry Archive March trade news 2008 February trade news 2008 January trade news 2008   3rd March 2008   ISPs should be more accountable for online counterfeit goods sales Internet service providers (ISPs) should play a more integral role in preventing the sale of online counterfeit goods, experts have claimed. According to the Anti-Counterfeiting Group (ACG), purchasing goods on the internet, both for wholesale and retail, has become more risky, with eBay singled out for much of the blame. Ruth Orchard, director general of the ACG, revealed that a large proportion of goods for sale on the popular auction site are fakes. She said: "Up to 90 per cent of some goods on offer on eBay are fakes." And, calling on ISPs to be held to account, she added: "The internet service providers should be made more responsible – when things are going wrong with their users, they have got [control of] the accounts; they can stop these people. "They could have a 'three strikes and you're out' policy, which has been introduced in France, and then they actually close people down." Meanwhile, according to the BBC's Money Programme, counterfeiting cost the British retail industry £11 billion in 2007.   (c) 2008 Adfero Ltd.   Subscribe to The Wholesaler UK regular newsletter featuring trade news, suppliers offers and trade show reminders. . .