TRADE NEWS Advertising on social networks will not be invasive Mexx to withdraw from UK retail industry Waterstones aims to improve supply chain Retailers can use domain name to boost online presence Online shoppers unsure of risks Counterfeit goods harming retail industry Majority of internet users shop online Dragon's Den duo see product take off Online sales increase in January Retail sales slow in February Retailers set for Mother's day windfall Mamas & Papas begin retail expansion Independent retailers urged to assess everything Retailers hope to increase internet exposure Ambitious Britons hope to own businesses Retail sales enjoy quarterly growth Retailers retain confidence in the industry Women prepared to walk the earth for retail Retailers urge chancellor to ease burden Retailers urged to curb discounting Internet claiming increasing numbers of high-street shoppers FPB urges competition commission to help smaller retailers Competition commission set to replace code of conduct London retail sales below par in January Online retailers drive to attract new consumers Retailers taking legal obligations seriously UK wholesalers could be shunned by supermarkets US retailers enjoy shock sales rise Women opt for ethical Valentines gifts Retail sales set to face 2008 dip Sales boost January retail figures Retailers set for prosperous Valentine's Day Groups warn on danger of toy imports Government needs to raise small business legal awareness FWD outline annual conference plans Shop price inflation rises eBay abandons buyer negative comments European retail sales dip in December Demand for British goods increases Cashback websites battling high street for customers US wholesale prices increase Organisations to petition bag ban Capital Gains Tax may not be compatible with EU law Archive January trade news 2008   13 February 2008   Sales boost January retail figures Retail sales enjoyed a small increase last month due to the January discounts, new research has revealed. According to figures compiled by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), sales last month increased by 2.6 per cent like-for like, when compared with the sales for the same month of 2007. Over the last three months, the figures rose to 1.5 per cent from 0.8 per cent in December 2007 for like-to-like sales and from 2.8 per cent to 3.7 per cent for total sales. The BRC revealed that the figures were largely driven by significant discounts, with the consumers worried about larger and more expensive purchases. Meanwhile, according to the CBI, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) enjoyed a prosperous level of exports during 2007. A balance of more than 12 per cent of SMEs saw their export strength grow, while ten per cent of small firms saw their output increase in the final quarter of the year.   (c) 2008 Adfero Ltd.   Subscribe to The Wholesaler UK regular newsletter featuring trade news, suppliers offers and trade show reminders. . .