TRADE NEWS FEBRUARY 2010 Retailers experience sales growth in February Online retailers to benefit from universal broadband Retailers face disproportionate utility costs Counterfeit goods seized in Norfolk BPF calls for public debate on CVAs NFRN quits JIG Tories reveal new supermarket planning laws NI independent fashion retailers folding Clothing retailers buck sales trend Isle of Man Tesco could 'impact' independent retailers Asda expansion threatens independents Scarborough's independent shops suffer rise in closure rate Small retailers 'not understanding shoppers' needs' Oxfordshire retailers come together to encourage local trade Scottish retailers left exposed to business rates UK retailers facing closure epidemic Computer chip counterfeiter prosecuted Village Shop of the Year named Family furniture retailer sees sales soar Counterfeit goods recycled Retailers receive grants to bolster security Inflation slow as retailers ignore VAT rise Uncertainty over economic policy Britons are biggest online shoppers   European visitors to The Wholesaler please click here   What’s New At The Wholesaler UK New Categories added recently Wholesale Fabric Tents and Camping Equipment Nautical and Marine Gifts Wholesale Golf Products Fireside Nostalgia, Nostalgic gifts, retro and vintage Wholesale Haberdashery Trade News Archive 2009  January   February   March   April   May   June   July   August   September   October   November   December Subscribe to our newsletter   Go to The Wholesaler UK Directory 2nd February 2010 Uncertainty over economic policy could threaten retailers UK-based retailers could face a difficult 2010 if surrounding economic conditions become unsupportive of the trade, it has been revealed. While the UK may have exited from the recession in the final quarter of last year, growing 0.1 per cent, warnings over a "relapse" in trading conditions have been sounded. Retailers could incur problems as a result of rising taxes, interest rates and uncertainty surrounding the next government's economic policy. Nick Bubb, of Arden Partners, said that 2010 could prove to be much harder than the last year. He said: "A mini-reflationary bubble has been created. But that has to burst eventually and the 'phony recession' that we had in 2009 will turn into the real thing at some stage this year." Furthermore, the KPMG/Synovate Retail Think Tank has suggested there are 'dark clouds gathering on the horizon', despite its prediction of improvement in the first quarter of the year. It also reveals that shoppers will make three per cent fewer trips this year. © 2010 Comment on this news story   Trade News Archive 2008  December   November   October   September August   July   June   May   April   March   February   January