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 25th February 2010 Small retailers face disproportionate utility costs The UK's small retailers and businesses have seen utility prices increase disproportionately compared with larger firms. Government data shows that between the third quarter of 2008 and the corresponding period for 2009 electricity prices rose by between 15 and 17 per cent among the UK's small to medium-sized enterprises. The respective rise for larger firms stood at between nine and 11 per cent, with the country's biggest companies incurring a price increase of just five per cent. Small firms also faced disproportionate price changes for gas, seeing costs rise by eight per cent while outgoings fell by between 14 and 52 per cent for all other commercial users, according to the Department of Energy and Climate Change. Nick Palin, finance director for the Forum of Private Business, said that the price alterations were not fair on Britain's smaller firms. He said: "This is the tip of the iceberg. By refusing to play fair some utilities giants have forced costs on small businesses they can ill afford. "While the big energy companies always pass on wholesale price increases in full the same cannot be said when prices fall." © 2010 Comment on this news story   Trade News Archive 2008  December   November   October   September August   July   June   May   April   March   February   January