Increases in the minimum wage could stop small retailers from expanding, one expert has warned.
Richard Dodd, head of media for the British Retail Consortium warned that if the minimum wage increased above average earnings "the danger is it will affect the growth of retail employment so fewer jobs will be created".
He said: "Looking at the period since 1999 minimum wage has been [a major cost] as well, in that it's gone up much faster than inflation overall, so it means that retailers who are already under pressure are under more pressure."
This means that small retailers are less able to offer their staff training, he added.
In order to address the situation, the government should make sure that future increases are below or in line with inflation, Me Dodd concluded.
From October the minimum wage will increase from £5.52 to £5.73 an hour for those aged over 22.
People aged 18 to 21 will receive £4.77 an hour from the same date.
