You may still be using paper invoices and doing so for various reasons. Perhaps you're unsure of the viability of electronic invoicing? Or maybe you don't trust cyberspace? It may be that you're intimidated by the changeover or feel that it will take too much time and effort? The fact is paperless invoicing is easy, convenient and inexpensive.

There's good news for retailers: credit card losses due to fraud are down by 13%. Many attribute this to the use of Chip and Pin technology, which requires that a cardholder enter a pin number when purchasing items at a store. But there is also bad news.

Whether you're a supplier or a buyer, it's essential that when an electronic payment is made it reaches its destination in a timely manner, and securely.

If you're starting a business, you're going to need a sound plan that outlines each aspect of your enterprise. First, you must consider who is going to create your plan. You have two basic options—you can hire an expert to write it or you can develop your own.

In Part I we addressed the writing of your retail business plan, including describing and delineating specific areas relating to the creation and implementation of your storefront business. In this article, we'll consider a basic outline for your document.

Throughout the UK, there are many cities that have created specific plans devoted to encouraging new retail businesses. Norwich, Northamptonshire, Oxford and many other communities have focused their efforts on encouraging, developing and sustaining new retail establishments, business sectors and the infrastructure needed to promote investment and success.

In Part I we focused on how to find desirable communities in which to locate your business. In Part II, we'll be looking at specifics as to how they relate to your actual storefront. Along with these considerations, you will want to develop a strong business plan in order to give your company the best chance for survival. A description of your desired storefront will be in that plan.

If you are a UK retailer that is considering importing goods, it will be helpful to understand the basic guidelines for customs tariffs. Over numerous years, the United Kingdom (UK) has eased these taxes to the point where many have been totally eliminated. For retailers that’s good news on two fronts.

Bringing goods into the UK from other countries involves working with various government agencies and conforming to specific regulations. Along with restrictions on certain items and variables that influence the rate at which customs tariffs will be levied on goods, we noted that tariffs are calculated on the value of the items being imported.

If you are an Internet retailer, a storefront retailer who also has a website, a mail order retailer or a catalogue company, you may find the concept of drop shipping attractive. After all, drop shipping eliminates the need to buy inventory, store it, and ship it out yourself. Working with a good manufacturer, importer or wholesaler that will drop ship offers numerous benefits, including low overhead costs and higher profit margins than you might realize through regular affiliate programs.