MAY TRADE NEWS Warehouse complex proposed for Peterborough Local authorities urged to help businesses improve recycling Business leaders lose faith in the Labour government Sole traders join forces on the Isle of Wight FPB calls for government to cancel fuel duty increase Consumers get better protection from rogue traders Health and beauty sector will grow despite economic slowdown Credit crunch hits wholesale and retail businesses' cash flows CBI reports manufacturers expect to increase prices Businesses attack new agency worker rules Credit crunch 'has not stopped owners selling their businesses' BRC stresses UK firms do not use exploitative suppliers OFT targets retailers who claim to be closing Carbon Trust urged to support small firms London business buck trend as sales increase Bank charges 'could harm small business Small businesses 'could be hurt by extended flexible working rules' BRC reports gloomy sales figures Businesses urged to embrace rail network Business pessimistic about economic future Fuel duty rises 'should be postponed to help businesses and consumers' Report calls for better government support of small businesses Businesses asked for bribes to win contracts Small businesses hit by staff absences Small businesses 'turn to older employees to plug skills gap' Businesses warned of continuing economic slowdown Tories pledge to support small suppliers and local businesses Continuity plans 'vital for small firms' Manufacturers force to pass rising costs on to customers Oxfordshire Retailers Flex Their Muscle FSB steps up campaign to protect local suppliers Small firms 'are turning to bridging loans to maintain cash flows' Government looks to help business by streamlining consumer laws Business disappointed by interest rate hold Shop prices 'only rising slowly' Postal competition 'has not helped small wholesalers' Small firms are turning to bridging loans to maintain cash flows South-west's roads 'need to be improved to help wholesalers' Retailers see April increase in shoppers Government urged to involve small firms in tax forum Good online retail practice satisfies customers Small retailers urged to embrace gift card schemes Commission inquiry not doing enough for small retailers Hornby buys model car maker Corgi Trade News Archive May 08 April 08 March 08 February 08 January 08 Subscribe to our newsletter   Go to The Wholesaler UK Directory 19th May 2008 London business buck trend as sales increase Businesses in London have bucked national trends and reported healthy sales in April. The British Retail Consortium reported that firms in central London reported a 2.7 per cent increase in sales last month when compared to figures from April 2007. It added that this was below the 4.5 per cent jump in April 2007, when Easter had boosted figures. However, the report did note that the increase was a positive sign, given that the UK as a whole reported a 1.5 per cent drop in sales during the month. "London retailers continued to weather the tough economic climate better than the rest of the UK as a whole, with upmarket fashion accessories, fragrances and skincare doing well," explained Stephen Robertson, director general of BRC. "Despite colder and wetter weather, shopper numbers were up slightly. Retailers in the capital will work hard to continue delivering value, especially as household incomes get squeezed." Helen Dickinson, head of retail at KPMG, added: "The ongoing challenges to the sector continue, with a tough economic backdrop highlighting the fragile level of consumer confidence." The report also noted that "big-ticket items continued to struggle as consumers faced increasing demands on their household budgets".   (c) 2008 Adfero Ltd.