20/01/2008 by admin.

The Wales Craft Council says the country’s gift shops have been flooded in recent years by cheap imports - everything from traditional lovespoons made in Borneo, to Welsh dolls manufactured in Thailand.

It is claimed that the industry is losing out on millions of pounds each year as tourists and locals snap up Welsh souvenirs and trinkets which they mistakenly believe are made in Wales. Read more…

Posted in News | No Comments »

20/01/2008 by admin.

HIGH street retailers suffered an even worse Christmas than had been expected, figures have revealed. The statistics from the Office for National Statistics last week led business experts to demand a reduction in interest rates.

Figures from the ONS showed British retailers experienced poorer sales than forecasters predicted, suffering a drop of 0.4% compared to the expected fall of 0.3%. The decrease in sales is the largest retailers have experienced since January last year, when figures fell by 1.7%.

It is expected 2008 will continue to be tough for retailers, as forecasters from the BRC and CBI have predicted that poor economic growth will continue until 2009. Firms are also expected to face an increase in costs of up to 4%, which the BRC says will put additional pressures on small businesses.

Posted in News | No Comments »

20/01/2008 by admin.

January is on course to become the UK’s wettest on record… Read more…

Posted in News | No Comments »