INSIDEThe picture on the high street

Setting up online - top tips

Goals and challenges for 2013

Beat the cold snap

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Welcome - Note from the Retail News Editor

Welcome to our first issue of Retail News @ABG. At Arram Berlyn Gardner we have been helping our clients on the high street grow since 1966. On Boxing Day 2012 retail consumers proved that the retail sector was changing at a rapid rate when we saw a record-breaking 24 hours for online retail in the UK. A staggering 113 million visits were made to retail websites on 26 December alone and £400m was spent. Online sales in December 2012 were up 17.8% on the previous year.

In this our first issue of Retail News @ABG we will be taking a brief look at the picture on the high street but we will also be providing some tips on setting up an online retail business. We hope you enjoy reading this publication and as always we welcome your feedback.

Filiz Zekia - Partner

ABG’s expert contributors

Arram Berlyn Gardner is a member of EuraAudit and 2020 International with worldwide representation and is registered to carry out audit work in the UK by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. Details about our audit registration can be viewed at www.auditregister.org.uk under reference number C006321677. Regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales for a range of investment business activities. Arram Berlyn Gardner is not authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 but we are able in certain circumstances to offer a limited range of investment services to clients because we are members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. We can provide these investment services if they are an incidental part of the professional services we have been engaged to provide.

Important: This newsletter has been written for the general interest of our clients and contacts and is correct at the time of going to print. No responsibility for loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of material in this publication can be accepted.

The picture on the high streetSmall retailers up and down the country endured a difficult time in 2012, with various factors giving rise to a 'trend of decline' on the high street. The Keep Trade Local campaign from the Federation of Small Businesses cites increasing competition from supermarkets and out of town developments as one of the major challenges facing local retailers.

The Freeze Business Rates campaign, backed by the BRC, and the Forum of Private Business have also listed rising business rates as a key pressure on small business owners. They're calling for a freeze on the 2.6 per cent rise planned for April 2013.

Beat the cold snapBusiness groups have advised businesses to do all they can to mitigate the impact of bad weather, which can disrupt deliveries, cause heating and power failures and make it difficult for employees to get to work.

Advice includes:

Allowing staff to work from home - this could include providing computers and setting up remote access to servers and company emails

Weatherproofing businesses - this may include lagging water pipes to prevent them from bursting

Complimentary ABG Seminars

14 February 2013 - Research & Development Tax Credits - Are you eligible to claim?

19 February 2013 - Foolproof business disposal system **

28 February 2013 - State of the uK Economy

22 March 2013 - Budget Briefing (8.30am)

26 March 2013 - Breakfast Budget Briefing (5.30pm)

** These events are to be run in conjunction with Jo Haigh and they are not to be held at 30 City Road

Setting up online: top tipsAn online store can help you take full advantage of the retail opportunities that the internet offers. Here are some of the key points to consider if you're thinking about setting up online:

1. understand your legal obligations

Certain regulations and legislation on online and distance selling - such as the E-Commerce Regulations and EU Distance Selling Directive - must be adhered to by internet retailers. There are rules around clearly identifying your business, processing and acknowledging orders and data storage. You must also ensure that your business is registered appropriately with HMRC and that you understand and follow the rules around charging VAT, particularly Your

2. Find providers to build and host your site

Depending on your budget, you will need to think about providers who can design, build and host your website, as well as finding an appropriate payment solution. PayPal is a popular solution that will enable you to process credit and debit card transactions. Businesses with smaller budgets can choose from a range of 'off-the-shelf' online stores with built-in, secure payment solutions.

Analysts have warned of further store closures in 2013, saying that changing consumer behaviours - many now use local stores as showrooms or collection points for online orders - have left some larger retailers with too many physical stores. Footfall in December 2012 was down by 1.2 per cent on the previous year.

A number of established high street names were forced into administration in 2012, with electrical goods chain Comet among the most notable. HMV, Jessops and Blockbuster all fell into administration at the start of this year, putting thousands of jobs at risk.

Insurance - this should cover both property damage and any drop in turnover that could occur as a result.

The advice comes as a cold snap sweeps across the UK and extreme weather events - such as flooding - occur more frequently. YouGov figures showed that snowy conditions have impacted 37 per cent of small and medium sized businesses at some point.

We can help with business planning. Contact us to find out more.

3. Make it as clear as possible

Design your store and the ordering process with ease of use in mind. Think about what you have to sell and why your customers are interested in your goods. Make it as easy as possible for your customers to find, view and purchase your products. Be transparent about your delivery charges and terms and conditions.

4. Spread the word

Think about how you will market your online store and encourage visitors to your site. Intelligent use of search engine marketing and optimisation can improve your website's ranking for relevant search terms. You might also want to consider more traditional forms of marketing and advertising in order to raise your site's profile.

5. Keep it up to date

Make sure you have the time and expertise to manage your website on an ongoing basis. Keep your stock listings up to date and deal quickly with any technical problems that effect site performance. Think about seasonal offers and promotions that you can use to build a loyal online customer base.

Paul Berlyn is our Managing Partner. Paul’s portfolio includes clients in the retail, property, recruitment and “not for profit” sectors including charities and trade associations. Paul provides a variety of services to these clients and is involved in all aspects of their affairs. Paul has been involved in many corporate sales in recent years.

Filiz Zekia is our Finance Partner. Her portfolio includes owner-managed businesses covering a wide range of sectors including media, retail and wholesale. Filiz is involved with several of the firm’s internal management committees. She specialises in helping her clients with tax planning.

Filiz Zekia, Partner

Tel: 020 7330 0024

fzekia@abggroup.co.uk

Paul Berlyn, Partner

Tel: 020 7330 0004

pberlyn@abggroup.co.uk

Julie Piper is head of Audit. Julie deals with many of the firm’s larger audits and regulated clients. Julie’s client base includes FSA regulated clients together with clients in the property sector. She also advises clients on personal and corporate tax issues.

Julie Piper, Partner

Tel: 020 7330 0025

jpiper@abggroup.co.uk

http://www.abggroup.co.uk/seminars-eventshttp://www.abggroup.co.uk/our-people/filiz-zekiahttp://www.abggroup.co.uk/our-people/paul-berlynhttp://www.abggroup.co.uk/our-people/julie-piper

Marketing experts reveal goals and challenges for 2013

Focussing on the customer and getting the basics right will be key to successful marketing in 2013, according to experts at a recent event where the panel included speakers from YouGov and Marketing Week magazine.

Simple strategies were considered the most effective, while long-running campaigns were felt to show consistency and attract mass audiences. Demonstrating the value of a brand, as well as communicating its brand values, is also considered a major factor for gaining consumer trust.

Looking forward, tightening budgets was considered the major challenge facing marketers in 2013, with marketing often seen as an overhead rather than a revenue-generating function. Gathering evidence and measuring performance are vital to the success of any marketing strategy.

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