Retail searches from overseas up 57% Monday 21/05/2012
Total retail search volumes grew 11% in the first quarter of 2012 compared with the same quarter a year earlier. The increase was driven by a rise in mobile/tablet search volumes which grew by 132% year-on-year. Total search volumes from overseas consumers rose by 57% in Q1 compared with the previous year. During the January sales, search volumes on mobile/tablets were at their highest, peaking on the 2 January 2012. There was a noticeable peak in retail… Read More
Footfall increases 1.8% November to January Saturday 03/03/2012
Figures found by the BRC/Springboard-ATCM Footfall and Vacancies Monitor could show that footfall in the three months November to January was 1.8% up on a year ago. This is an improvement on the 2.3% fall in the three months prior to that. The highest growth in footfall could be found in out-of-town shopping centres with an increase of 3.1%, followed by high streets with 1.4% and shopping centres with 0.8%. Averaging over the last… Read More
Agency Worker Pensions Tuesday 17/01/2012
From October 2012, all employers will need to change their approach to pensions with the advent of auto- enrolment rules. At present the only obligation is to provide access to a stakeholder scheme by those employers with five or more employees. Currently, employees have to opt in, with many employees choosing not to use this as a method of saving for their future. Additionally, there is no statutory requirement for the employer to make contributions to… Read More
Exhibitor Bookings Totally Add Up Monday 05/12/2011
Bookings are hotting up for the ‘Three in One’ Totally Shows due to run next February at the NEC in Birmingham. In the past month, the following companies have signed up to exhibit for the first time at the show - Bemis Europe, Birchwood Price Tools, Keller Instruments and Latexite UK. They are joining other first timers Bond-It, Ewbank, NexTorch (BBB Investments), Worldwide Tools and The Wardle Group. The Wardle Group will be show… Read More
FSB wants immediate changes Thursday 01/12/2011
A targeted VAT cut and a National Insurance Contributions (NICs) holiday must be introduced for small firms as small business confidence fell due to the pressure of weak demand and rising costs, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) ‘Voice of Small Business’ Index. The Index fell by -9.6% in the third quarter as more businesses lost confidence in the economy and unemployment reached 2.57 million with youth unemployment rea… Read More
‘IT’S WHERE THE TRADE TRADES’ Monday 21/11/2011
‘Three-in-one’ trade show, Totally DIY: Totally Tools: Totally Secure, has introduced a new strapline, ‘It’s where the trade trades’, along with a picture of a tool box anyone would be proud to own, to promote the show this year. The visitor promotional campaign for the 2012 shows includes a new look website, new on page and online ads, a comprehensive direct mail and email campaign and sponsorship of the industry leading DIY… Read More
Retail theft costs UK stores £4.9bn Friday 18/11/2011
Retail crime and administrative errors cost UK retailers £4.9bn in the year to June 2011, according to the latest report from the Global Retail Theft Barometer. Increases were seen in shoplifting and employee theft, while organised retail crime, defined as large-scale fraud and theft for resale, was perceived as a significant contributor to losses for the first time. The report, published by the Centre for Retail Research in Nottingham and… Read More
One in 10 retail searches now on mobiles, says BRC Tuesday 15/11/2011
Online retail searches are growing as people use the internet to hunt down bargains, according to the latest British Retail Consortium -Google Online Retail Monitor. Mobile retail search volumes grew by 168% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2011, driving a 35% increase in total retail search volumes (mobile and desktop). Mobile now accounts for 10% of retail searches. Home and garden saw strong growth in July, while back-to-school searches fuelled gr… Read More
Apprenticeship Changes Welcomed Tuesday 15/11/2011
Changes to the UK apprenticeship system have been welcomed by British Retail Consortium Director General, Stephen Robertson. In response to a package of measures announced by Skills Minister John Hayes, Mr Robertson said: “Retailers are firm supporters of apprenticeships. More than a third of retail employees are under the age of 25 and our members are committed to staff training and development...The current apprenticeship system is too difficult… Read More
Retailers pin hopes on a good Christmas Tuesday 08/11/2011
Official retail figures released in October by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) demonstrate how crucial a successful Christmas period will be for retailers this year. The latest numbers, which echo the British Retail Consortium’s (BRC’s) own statistics, show some growth in sales values, although being driven by inflation rather than increased business. The unseasonably warm start to autumn resulted in particularly poor sales of winter… Read More
Shadow chancellor calls for VAT reduction Thursday 27/10/2011
The call is part of Ed Balls’ five-point plan to kick-start the economy, which also includes a 12-month national insurance break for small businesses taking on new workers. Echoing the Builders Organisation is Federation of Master Builders Cut the VAT Campaign, his ‘plan for growth’ came in a speech to the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool on 26th September in which he vowed a Labour administration would have an “ir… Read More
Garden plants and bulb sales blossom Monday 03/10/2011
According to latest reports by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), there have been strong sales of bulbs and autumn bedding as garden retailers start to promote their early autumn displays. Director of marketing and communications Andrew Maxted said: “Effective displays of bulbs and autumn bedding are resulting in strong sales as people seek to inject some colour into their garden. “There is still huge pressure on consumer spen… Read More
National minimum wage increases on 1st October Monday 26/09/2011
The main rate of the national minimum wage for anyone 21 and over rises from £5.93 to £6.08 an hour on 1st October. The rate for workers aged 16 to 17 rises from £3.64 to £3.68, for workers aged 18 to 20 the rate rises from £4.92 to £4.98. … Read More
Don't miss the Big Brands Trade Show - starting TUESDAY at Stax Manchester! Monday 26/09/2011
The Big Brands Trade Show will start on Tuesday, 27th September. Top branded suppliers are set to exhibit their biggest and best selling products at this unique two-day event, which will be taking place throughout the whole of the Manchester warehouse. Leading brand suppliers will be showcasing DIY, tools, gardening, housewares, hardware and electrical products and more! The Show, which is expected to attract visitors from across the cou… Read More
New Edinburgh branch opening soon Thursday 11/08/2011
If you would like to join the UK’s leading non food cash and carry wholesaler; we have the following vacancies at our New Edinburgh branch: Receptionist/TelephonistCheckout OperatorsShopfloor Assistants If you are hardworking, self motivated, with good customer skills and relevant experience, and would like to join a successful, forward thinking company, we want to hear from you. Successful applicants will receive a competitive salary and… Read More
Lowest spending on DIY for 13 years Tuesday 05/07/2011
Since 1998 people have not spent as little on DIY as in 2010, according to the latest Lloyds TSB home maintenance survey. Only £352 per household were spent; a total of £9.5bn. This is a drastic fall compared to the £14.66bn expenditure in 2004, when DIY was at its highest. Overall, expenditure on home maintenance (DIY and tradesmen's services) has fallen by 9% over the past year, from £17.8bn in 2009 to £16.2bn in 20… Read More
Product of the Year Awards: £1,800 for Rainy Day Trust Friday 24/06/2011
The 300 guests at the Product of the Year Awards lunch have raised a total of £1,373 for the Rainy Day Trust. The tax relief under the Gift Aid scheme brought this number up to £1,757 – and more help was promised by guests asking to be contacted afterwards. RDT president Colin Petty comments about the outcome of the lunch: "We're absolutely delighted. Like so many charities, the Trust has suffered badly over the past few years - donat… Read More
Retail sales figures down in May Wednesday 22/06/2011
The Office for National Statistics has published May retail sales figures showing that British consumers are still holding back when it comes to spending. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) reckons that the retail sector will see another tough couple of months. Richard Lim, BRC Economist, commented: “After the feelgood boost of April, which saw retailers benefiting from sunny weather and bank holidays, May was a return to reality. Consumers ar… Read More
Less independents are closing down Wednesday 15/06/2011
"Town centres are suffering both natural and manmade damage, but independents are weathering the storm and are showing signs of a naturally regenerative ability that can revive the high streets of the country – if they are freed from the shackles that hamper them." says the trade association for independent retailers, the British Independent Retailers Association (bira). Announcing the findings of new quantitative research undertaken with the… Read More
Inflation still at 4.5% Wednesday 15/06/2011
The Office for National Statistics found that, just like in April, inflation stays at a two-and-a-half year high at 4.5%. This is more than twice the Bank of England’s target, which is at 2%. … Read More
April sales up 25% for garden centres Thursday 09/06/2011
The exceptionally good weather in April obviously inspired consumers to give their garden a spring makeover. With a late Easter and an extra bank holiday there was plenty of time to browse garden centres for new acquisitions to enjoy the summery temperatures outside. Sales went up 25% for Garden Centres compared to last year’s April. Current figures from the HTA Garden Retail Monitor show that although May couldn’t keep up with the sales one m… Read More
Increase in mobile shopping to be worth £4.5bn by 2016 Wednesday 08/06/2011
Britain’s economy could be seeing a £4.5bn boost from customers shopping on their mobile phones by 2016 according to research carried out by the online auction site eBay. There could even be a further £13bn growth by 2021, with an increase in people using their mobiles for more than just making a phone call. For retailers this means getting their websites m-commerce ready and jumping on the train of mobile shopping in order not to… Read More
Stax strengthen delivered arm with acquisition of Wishart. Friday 27/05/2011
Stax Trade Centres plc has today announced the acquisition of Edinburgh based DF Wishart & Co Ltd for an undisclosed sum. Edinburgh based Wishart, which turns over between £6m and £7m per annum, is a delivered wholesaler and has been supporting the independent retailers of Scotland and the North East of England for over 150 years. Wishart product offering complements that of Stax Trade Centres. Stax Trade Centres makes the acquisition to… Read More
Stax strengthen delivered arm with acquisition of Wishart. Friday 27/05/2011
Stax Trade Centres plc has today announced the acquisition of Edinburgh based DF Wishart & Co Ltd for an undisclosed sum. Edinburgh based Wishart, which turns over between £6m and £7m per annum, is a delivered wholesaler and has been supporting the independent retailers of Scotland and the North East of England for over 150 years. Wishart product offering complements that of Stax Trade Centres. Stax Trade Centres makes the acquisition to… Read More
Stax Trade Centres launch new website. Friday 27/05/2011
Stax Trade Centres, the leading non-food cash & carry wholesaler, has just launched a new state of the art website to support the growth of its multi-channel business. Stax had created a specification for the next generation of their staxtradecentres.co.uk website, seeking a highly sophisticated platform with potential e-commerce, incorporating targeted merchandising, sophisticated multivariate testing, and easy search and navigation. Stax Joint Ma… Read More
Stax Trade Centres launch new website. Friday 27/05/2011
Stax Trade Centres, the leading non-food cash & carry wholesaler, has just launched a new state of the art website to support the growth of its multi-channel business. Stax had created a specification for the next generation of their staxtradecentres.co.uk website, seeking a highly sophisticated platform with potential e-commerce, incorporating targeted merchandising, sophisticated multivariate testing, and easy search and navigation. Stax Joint Ma… Read More
Stax at NMBS. Thursday 26/05/2011
Stax are delighted to announce that they have recently become a preferred supplier to the NMBS (National Merchant Buying Society Ltd). The NMBS is a centralised buying society for independent builders, timber and hardware, plumbing and heating merchants. It has over 650 members with over 2,000 branches across the UK. Since 1963 the NMBS has been dedicated to strengthening the Independent Merchant by bringing them together to gain negotiating and purchasin… Read More
BHF becomes bira. Wednesday 25/05/2011
The trade association for independent retailers, BHF-BSSA Group, has taken on a new name, British Independent Retailers Association (bira). The new identity was adopted at the association's annual general meeting at Lingfield Marriott Hotel on 4th May 2011. The previous name was adopted in the 2009 merger of the century-old BHF Group and the British Shops and Stores Association (bssa). It was always intended that once the merger had been consolidated, the… Read More
Mobile shopping searches treble. Wednesday 25/05/2011
In the first quarter of 2011, total retail search volumes grew by 29% compared with the same quarter a year earlier, according to the British Retail Consortium. Mobile retail search traffic outpaced overall growth rising by 181% over the same period. Mobile searches accounted for 11% of total retail searches in the first quarter of 2011. Retail searches grew fastest for multi-channel retailers (usually those using stores and the internet). They saw a ris… Read More
National Minimum Wage rates for October 2011. Wednesday 25/05/2011
The National Minimum Wage rates for 2011/12 have been announced. From 1 October, the rates will be as follows: • Workers aged 21 & over £6.08• Workers aged 18-20 £4.98• Workers aged16-17 £3.68 For apprentices under 19, or 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship, the minimum wage rate will be £2.60.… Read More
Tradesmen predict business uplift in 2011. Wednesday 25/05/2011
More than 60% of people say they’ll be making changes to their home this year, according to ta recent home improvement report. The poll of 2,000 UK homeowners also revealed that of the 61% planning to do a bit of DIY, 63% would be making aesthetic changes through painting and decorating. Two-thirds of respondents said they gave their homes a face-lift with a lick of paint last year, while 29% overhauled their gardens. The main reason given for thes… Read More
Tax man targets plumbers. Wednesday 25/05/2011
HMRC is contacting around 50,000 plumbers, heating engineers and gas fitters to give them the opportunity to come clean about any unpaid taxes. A letter being sent out will explain that, once the opportunity expires, HMRC will begin a clampdown on those working in the sector who have failed to declare earnings and pay the tax they owe. Plumbers, gas fitters, heating engineers and members of associated trades who owe tax which they have not yet declared c… Read More