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  14th November 2008 Post Office to keep card accounts The government has awarded the Post Office with a contract to continue offering card accounts used by millions of people to receive benefits and pensions. There had been warnings that as many as 6,000 post offices would be under threat if the Post Office Card Account (Poca) had been given to a rival bidder. Work and pensions secretary James Purnell told the House of Commons that the Poca procurement process was being dropped and that the Post Office would carry on providing the service until at leas 2015. Although the move might prevent the immediate loss of thousands of jobs, claims have been made that the government wanted to give the contract to rival bidder PayPoint, but had bowed to popular demand. Alan Duncan, Conservative business spokesman, said the decision was "a humiliating climbdown" for the government. The government is currently in the process of closing some 2,500 branches this year, as it attempts to cut costs and 'streamline' the network.   (c) 2008 Adfero Ltd. Comment on this news story