MAY TRADE NEWS Warehouse complex proposed for Peterborough Local authorities urged to help businesses improve recycling Business leaders lose faith in the Labour government Sole traders join forces on the Isle of Wight FPB calls for government to cancel fuel duty increase Consumers get better protection from rogue traders Health and beauty sector will grow despite economic slowdown Credit crunch hits wholesale and retail businesses' cash flows CBI reports manufacturers expect to increase prices Businesses attack new agency worker rules Credit crunch 'has not stopped owners selling their businesses' BRC stresses UK firms do not use exploitative suppliers OFT targets retailers who claim to be closing Carbon Trust urged to support small firms London business buck trend as sales increase Bank charges 'could harm small business Small businesses 'could be hurt by extended flexible working rules' BRC reports gloomy sales figures Businesses urged to embrace rail network Business pessimistic about economic future Fuel duty rises 'should be postponed to help businesses and consumers' Report calls for better government support of small businesses Businesses asked for bribes to win contracts Small businesses hit by staff absences Small businesses 'turn to older employees to plug skills gap' Businesses warned of continuing economic slowdown Tories pledge to support small suppliers and local businesses Continuity plans 'vital for small firms' Manufacturers force to pass rising costs on to customers Oxfordshire Retailers Flex Their Muscle FSB steps up campaign to protect local suppliers Small firms 'are turning to bridging loans to maintain cash flows' Government looks to help business by streamlining consumer laws Business disappointed by interest rate hold Shop prices 'only rising slowly' Postal competition 'has not helped small wholesalers' Small firms are turning to bridging loans to maintain cash flows South-west's roads 'need to be improved to help wholesalers' Retailers see April increase in shoppers Government urged to involve small firms in tax forum Good online retail practice satisfies customers Small retailers urged to embrace gift card schemes Commission inquiry not doing enough for small retailers Hornby buys model car maker Corgi Trade News Archive May 08 April 08 March 08 February 08 January 08 Subscribe to our newsletter   Go to The Wholesaler UK Directory 20th May 2008 OFT targets retailers who claim to be closing The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has announced that a number of sporting goods companies have agreed to cease advertising promotions which could potentially mislead consumers. After discussions with the OFT, Sportsdirect.com Retail, Hargreaves and Gilesports have pledged not to mislead consumers regarding any 'closing down' promotions in the future. The move came after the OFT received complaints that certain shops owned by the companies were displaying 'closing down' signs for extended periods of time. Many of these shops did not actually ever cease trading. OFT officials decided that the retailers were in breach of the Control of Misleading Advertisements Regulations 1988. "Consumers searching for bargains should not be misled by claims about closing down promotions," Mike Haley, OFT director of consumer protection, explained. "It is important that advertising accurately reflects traders' intentions to close business premises, and we therefore welcome the positive response from Sportsdirect.com Retail, Hargreaves and Gilesports." The companies have all agreed to never publish advertisements which give the impression that impending closure means consumers could find low-priced items.   (c) 2008 Adfero Ltd.