Mail Order Trade Association merges with BRC

The BRC's Stephen Robertson has welcomed new mail order members

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The Mail Order Trade Association has merged with The British Retail Consortium (BRC), bringing new members including Asos, N Brown, Findel, Otto UK and Redcats UK under the same umbrella as bricks and mortar retailers.

The merger was prompted by the growing importance of internet and mail order retailers to the overall retail sector.

Alan White, chief executive of N Brown, who was also chairman of the Mail Order Trade Association, said: "Now that multi-channel retailing is prevalent it makes perfect sense to have the BRC representing all sections of the retail trade especially to counter the growing regulatory burden."

Asos chief executive Nick Robertson said: "We've joined the British Retail Consortium because we believe they have the ear of Government and the media on the important issues affecting our industry."

BRC director general Stephen Robertson said: "I'm delighted to welcome so many new members from this fast-growing sector of UK retailing. They symbolise the growing breadth and diversity of retailers the BRC represents. This tough economic climate means it's especially important that retailers have a strong trade association fighting on their behalf."