NOVEMBER TRADE NEWS Woolworths confirms administration Textile maker claims innocence in fake goods case VAT cut drives Irish shoppers north of the border Woolworths close to administration Chancellor cuts VAT to 15% Retail sector 'being driven by discounts' Lingerie business to focus on wholesale operations Christmas delivers online shopping BRC warns government of pressure on retailers Wholesaler helps small retailers fight Asda Fraudster made £12,000 from eBay scam Scottish consumers 'tightening their belts' Luxury fashion brand enjoys rise in wholesale activity Weak pound benefits Northern Irish retailers Internet helps small retailers to fight downturn London sales superiority over UK 'dwindling' Cambridge retailers fight proposed Tesco opening Wholesale slump for designer clothing company Small retailers 'under threat Post Office to keep card accounts Wind forces trade fair inland Young consumers 'susceptible' to brands Christmas cheer in store for small retailers Local shops play vital community role Retailers told to expect flat sales this Xmas Keep Trade Local campaign comes to London Park Cameras bags Retailer of the Year award Retail sales plummet to three-year low Christmas 'make or break' for small retailers UK traders invited to enter Retail Week Awards Mary Queen of Shops to help Birmingham retailers Scottish Asda store criticised by local resident Low interest rate good news for small firms Markets must support each other, says CGTA Banks urged to pursue small business funding BRC to launch new online retail sales indicator Small retailers voice optimism in Kendal Portsmouth hosts bash for local newsagents Argos under fire for 222% APR store card Emergency funding for ailing small firms Stolen goods warning for Worcestershire retailers Trade News Archive November 08 October 08 September 08 August 08 July 08 June 08 May 08 April 08 March 08 February 08 January 08 Subscribe to our newsletter   Go to The Wholesaler UK Directory  18th November 2008 Weak pound benefits Northern Irish retailers Retailers in Northern Ireland are benefiting as the value of the pound drops against the euro, it has been reported. According to Ireland's Sunday Business Post, a 6.5 per cent fall in the value of sterling over the past month is encouraging consumers from the south to cross the border in search of cheaper goods. It reported on claims made by the Dundalk Chamber of Commerce (DCC) that the Irish government's failure to tackle high retail prices in the Republic is having a negative effect on retailers in the south, where the euro is the main currency. Bill Tosh, chief executive of the DCC, told the paper that a 20 per cent fall in sterling values over the last year was a "kick in the teeth" for retailers in the Republic, particularly independents along the southern side of the border. Meanwhile, the latest figures have revealed that retail sales volumes in Ireland fell by 6.2 per cent year-on-year in September. This marks the sixth consecutive drop in retail sales. (c) 2008 Adfero Ltd. Comment on this news story