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   15 February 2008   UK wholesalers could be shunned by supermarkets UK based wholesalers may be shunned by the nation's biggest supermarkets if they receive extra protection from the Competition Commission. With the commission to complete an investigation into the relationship between supermarkets and wholesalers, it is widely thought that a regulator may be established to govern their dealings. A source close to the investigation revealed that any move to strengthen the position of retailers could lead to supermarkets looking overseas for goods. "Will its power just cover relationships with UK suppliers or will it apply internationally?" the source told This Is Money. "There's certainly that danger. Retailers don't particularly want to go down that road because customers are saying they want local, British food," he added. Alternatives to the watchdog could be an overhaul of the existing code of practice governing dealings between the groups. A new code would be much stricter and could be policed by the Office of Fair Trading.     (c) 2008 Adfero Ltd.     Subscribe to The Wholesaler UK regular newsletter featuring trade news, suppliers offers and trade show reminders. . .