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   28th March 2008   No need to be wary online, say experts Consumers who make online purchases have little reason to be wary if they are using approved websites, according to a leading consumer guide. Shopsafe.co.uk, which offers advice to online shoppers, said retail websites which are signed up to schemes such as SecureCode are safe for consumers to use. When asked if consumers should be wary of shopping online, Simon Crisp, director of Shopsafe.co.uk, said: "In reality no, not at all. The banks are promoting schemes now, which is rather like chip and pin but the online version is SecureCode." A record number of UK shoppers now make purchases online, with the IMRG Capgemini e-retail sales index showing that £4.2 billion was spent in February this year, indicating a 46 per cent rise when compared to last year. Research by CPP also revealed that the average person will spend £72,000 in their lifetime, and that shoppers aged between 45 and 54 are more aware of purchasing only from approved sites than younger users are.     (c) 2008 Adfero Ltd.   Subscribe to The Wholesaler UK regular newsletter featuring trade news, suppliers offers and trade show reminders. . . Return to The Wholesaler UK directory