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14th November 2008
Small retailers 'under threat’
Thousands of small retailers across the UK are under threat from the negative effects of a looming recession, it has been revealed.
According to the Evening Standard, government ministers admitted this week that the odds are stacked against local retailers in many towns up and down the country.
The paper reports that Iain Wright, communities minister, told the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) that while the headlines focus on the fortunes of the larger retailers, "smaller shops and retailers are equally feeling the pinch".
"We need to protect small retailers threatened by increased competition," he said. "The balance has tipped too far, creating high streets which are bland replicas of each other, dominated by big chains."
The government also revealed plans for a new "impact test", which delegates from the ACS heard will give councils more power to protect smaller shops.
This week, the British Retail Consortium revealed that high street retail sales fell to their lowest level in three years during October.
(c) 2008 Adfero Ltd.
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