SEPTEMBER TRADE NEWS Norfolk locals petition against Tesco expansion BHF to have first female president Popularity of online retail set to grow Yorkshire traders rally in face of recession Small retailers stand by out-of-vogue cheques JJB Sport bemoans 'worst retail slump ever Planning regulations hit mom-and-pop stores Chester retailers fear 'death of city centre' Confusion abounds over latest Nokia offering Grimsby shopkeepers slam cigarette display ban Local shops in Crowborough brace for Tesco Consumers 'intolerant' of e-tailer glitches Retailers urge EU to scrap footwear tariffs Rise of the mega-mall 'decimates high streets' Manchester SMEs miss out on rate relief NECC moves to help flood damaged retailers New confectionery wholesaler in Liverpool Credit crunch drives Christmas shoppers online Newsagents slam Independent margin change Analysts predict September sales slump Upbeat London retailers buck national trend Call to reform high street parking policies Cheltenham residents back anti-Tesco campaign Retailers ramp up pressure for rent reform Retail spending 'remains in growth territory' Minimum wage increase hurts small retailers House & garden wholesalers escape property slump BRC slams predicted business rate spike MPs back Think Smallest First initiative Expert trumps opportunities in overseas markets Fears Swansea PO closure will harm local shops Norfolk residents celebrate blocked Tesco bid Next sees no improvement in consumer spending East Sussex town launches own currency Wet August dampens retails sales Wholesaler, Makro, fined over shopper's injuries Blackpool Council warns illegal street traders High street braces for 'cautious Christmas' Rate hold accepted but not welcomed Loyalty card revealed for retailers Brighton's shopping centre helps retailers Blaming the internet for slumping high street sales 'is wrong' Birmingham retailers work together to improve city centre Retailers' protests stop pedestrianisation plan Wholesale businesses report slowing sales Out-of-county traders blamed for selling fakes Norwich wholesaler hit by criminal gang Importer loses House of Lords case Photographs highlight plight of small retailers Essex residents warned about counterfeit goods New high street plan approved in Chelmsford Trade News Archive September 08 August 08 July 08 June 08 May 08 April 08 March 08 February 08 January 08 Subscribe to our newsletter   Go to The Wholesaler UK Directory 12th September 2008 Minimum wage increase 'hurts small retailers' Industry experts have said that next month's increase in the National Minimum Wage will put a significant strain on the cash-flow of numerous small businesses. According to the Forum of Private Business (FPB), while the minimum wage itself is a "good idea," raising it at a time when many small retailers are already struggling to make ends meet could be a mistake. For workers aged 22-plus, the hourly rate will increase by 21p to £5.73 per hour. Workers aged 18 to 21 will be entitled to £4.77 per hour - a rise of 17p - while 16 and 17-year-olds will see their minimum hourly rate increase 13p to £3.53. On top of the immediate financial strain that places on independent retailers, the FPB warned that large numbers of small businesses face prosecution due to misinformation about the revisions. "These changes come about every year and, although there is an additional cost involved, it is important for small firms to comply with the law," emphasised Nick Palin, FPB director of finance. "Those that don't comply risk paying an even higher price." He cited recent research from the organisation which showed that 44 per cent of companies with under five employees are totally unaware of the pending increase in the National Minimum Wage. (c) 2008 Adfero Ltd. Comment on this news story .