NOVEMBER TRADE NEWS Woolworths confirms administration Textile maker claims innocence in fake goods case VAT cut drives Irish shoppers north of the border Woolworths close to administration Chancellor cuts VAT to 15% Retail sector 'being driven by discounts' Lingerie business to focus on wholesale operations Christmas delivers online shopping BRC warns government of pressure on retailers Wholesaler helps small retailers fight Asda Fraudster made £12,000 from eBay scam Scottish consumers 'tightening their belts' Luxury fashion brand enjoys rise in wholesale activity Weak pound benefits Northern Irish retailers Internet helps small retailers to fight downturn London sales superiority over UK 'dwindling' Cambridge retailers fight proposed Tesco opening Wholesale slump for designer clothing company Small retailers 'under threat Post Office to keep card accounts Wind forces trade fair inland Young consumers 'susceptible' to brands Christmas cheer in store for small retailers Local shops play vital community role Retailers told to expect flat sales this Xmas Keep Trade Local campaign comes to London Park Cameras bags Retailer of the Year award Retail sales plummet to three-year low Christmas 'make or break' for small retailers UK traders invited to enter Retail Week Awards Mary Queen of Shops to help Birmingham retailers Scottish Asda store criticised by local resident Low interest rate good news for small firms Markets must support each other, says CGTA Banks urged to pursue small business funding BRC to launch new online retail sales indicator Small retailers voice optimism in Kendal Portsmouth hosts bash for local newsagents Argos under fire for 222% APR store card Emergency funding for ailing small firms Stolen goods warning for Worcestershire retailers Trade News Archive November 08 October 08 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 4th November 2008 Portsmouth hosts bash for local newsagents The owners of Hampshire retailer Keys News Highfield have earned the coveted south-east Newsagent of the Year award at a leading industry bash. Nick and Caroline Keys received the accolade at a ceremony hosted by the National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN) in Portsmouth's Marriott Hotel last Friday (October 31st). Proud shopowner Nick told the Portsmouth News that he was delighted with the award, which he said served as proof that support for small retailers is as strong as ever within local communities. Despite his optimism, however, NFRN national president Naresh Purohit warned that big chains pose a real and present danger to small businesses. "The industry is very much under pressure from a national point of view," he asserted. "The credit crunch affects the small as much as the big, only small businesses don't have the buffer of having a bit of extra cash, and can go down a lot quicker." The NFRN is lobbying the government to draw a distinction between moderately-sized small businesses and "microbusiness" ones that have just a handful of employees.   (c) 2008 Adfero Ltd. Comment on this news story