Latest News
KPMG: Conditions still tough for retailers
Recent figures showing increased sales in January do not necessarily mean that the retail market is improving, according to KPMG.
UK trade deficit falls
'Surprisingly upbeat' figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal Britain's trade gap for goods has fallen from record highs.
UK retail sales increase
Figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) reveal retail sales in the UK increased in the first month of the year.
Small firms 'should chase govt contracts'
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are being called on to sign up for government contracts through the supply.2gov.uk website.
Firms to collaborate on public sector contracts
Welsh businesses will be able to work together to secure public sector contracts in a £25 million scheme, which could help up to 4,200 companies.
Sales 'top problem for businesses'
Businesses report getting sales or orders is their biggest concern, with more worried about that than access to finance or interest rates.
Business confidence at 16-year low
Business confidence is at its lowest ever as firms report drops in sales and problems with cashflow, according to a survey by Lloyds TSB.
Retailers have worst December ever
Retailers have had the worst December ever, as new figures show a 'truly dreadful' Christmas period on the high street.
Businesses shut down for long Christmas break
Half a million small businesses are closing their doors for the two-week period over Christmas, which is the highest figure since the 1990s.
Surprise rise in retail sales
Retail sales rose year-on-year in November as shops slashed prices.
Consumer confidence is boosted
Figures from market research group GFK NOP show a rise by two points in the level of consumer confidence, reaching -33 for December.
Discounting boosting high street sales
Aggressive discounting in the retail industry has led to a spike in sales, but the Value Added Tax (VAT) cut has contributed little to this, an expert states.
Rural retailers are 'silent victims'
Trade has decreased for rural shops as they become the 'silent victims' of the credit crunch, with the majority saying the pre-Budget report did not help them, a survey reveals.
Online sales boom
Online retail sales have increased as spending on the internet rose compared to last year.
Government system 'should favour small firms'
The government procurement process should favour small businesses and move away from a large, multi-year system to make it simpler for smaller firms.
