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   7th March 2008   Shopping centres urged to rethink consumer perceptions Shopping centres should rethink their traditional perception of consumer needs and broaden their retail scope, experts have claimed. According to Professor Richard Scase, retail managers should focus more on consumer lifestyles, rather than the common focus on age groups, the Retail Bulletin reports. And, if the advice is acted upon, it could pave the way for shopping centres to feature more independent and specialist retailers. Professor Scase told delegates at the Shopping Centre Management Conference: "Consumers are becoming increasingly experimental and less loyal to brands. We are seeing an erosion of traditional marketing techniques based on age." He added: "Shopping centres and retail destinations need to differentiate their offer and move away from the assumption of historic consumer demographic categories. Instead, we need to think about the lifestyles of different consumers and target our retail offer appropriately." Meanwhile, the British Retail Consortium has called on the government to cut interest rates to help inject a new lease of life into the sector. The Bank of England held interest rates at 5.25 per cent earlier this week.   (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