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   14 February 2008   US retailers enjoy shock sales rise Retail sales in the US rose by 0.3 per cent in January, following a 0.4 decrease in December, new figures have shown. Analysts had predicted that sales could fall by 0.2 per cent over the month and, despite the rise, interest rates in the country could still be cut further. Omer Eisner, of Reush International, revealed that the surprise figures may ease US fears of a recession. "The data is clearly a surprise to the upside. I don't think it changes the outlook for further rate cuts. But in the near term, it does ease some recession concerns." The rise is sales could be good news for wholesalers and exporters, with the increase in consumer activity allowing retailers to increase their stock orders. Meanwhile, figures released by the British Retail Consortium, revealed a 2.6 per cent increase in like-for-like sales domestically. The figures are though to have been driven by increased activity during the January sales.     (c) 2008 Adfero Ltd.     Subscribe to The Wholesaler UK regular newsletter featuring trade news, suppliers offers and trade show reminders. . .