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  12th November 2008 Retailers told to expect flat sales this Xmas Year-on-year growth in high street sales will stagnate at zero per cent this Christmas, retailers have been warned. With the country on the verge of a recession and the credit crunch freezing up access to loans, consumers look set to rein in their spending during the season. That will mean no repeat of the average five per cent growth that has been enjoyed by retailers and wholesalers every winter since 2000. In sharp contrast, market research firm Mintel found that 41 per cent of Brits actually expect to spend less this Christmas than they did last year, with concerns over job stability and the financial climate eating into confidence among shoppers. "As budgets tighten, Christmas will become a much less indulgent affair," warned Richard Perks, director of retail research at Mintel. He continued: "Many retailers will be looking for ways to encourage people to part with their cash and so we are likely to see discounting and end of year sales start before Christmas." The survey also revealed that younger consumers are the most willing to splash out during the season, with just 30 per cent of 20 to 24-year-olds planning cutbacks.   (c) 2008 Adfero Ltd. Comment on this news story