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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.
Cigarette display ban 'could hit small firms'
The ban on displaying cigarettes in shops could hit small businesses as they account for 20 per cent of sales in convenience stores.
Parking charges 'hurting high street sales'
Parking restrictions and high costs are hampering Christmas retail trade further, leading more people to go to out-of-town shopping centres, the Forum of Private Business (FPB) warns.
Bleak Christmas ahead for SMEs
SMEs are facing a distinctly bleak Christmas, according to a poll conducted by SmallBusiness.co.uk.
Retail sales see biggest drop in 3 years
Retail figures for November show the sharpest drop for three years, falling by 2.6 per cent, suggesting a bleak Christmas for the high street.
Now is the 'ideal time' for marketing
Consumers will be more open to direct marketing in the current economic climate as they are looking for more information before making a purchase, an expert states.
Sales figures predict lean Christmas
Christmas this year could be harsh for small retailers, after figures from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) show sharp falls in high street sales.
Small businesses 'hit with VAT burden'
Small firms will be especially burdened with administration costs from the reduction in value-added tax (VAT), according to the Chartered Institute of Taxation.
Government to review procurement
A review into the public sector contract procurement process has been welcomed by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), which hopes it will lead to a fairer deal for firms.