The general election is set to be held on May 5, Tony Blair has announced.
The Prime Minister, speaking after asking the Queen to dissolve parliament, said Labour had a “driving mission” for a third term in offer.
Commenting on the announcement, Kevin Hawkins, director general of the British Retail Consortium, said: “Now that the general election has finally been announced, it is essential that the political parties on the campaign trail start listening to the voice of business.
“Retail issues affect everyone - after all everyone is a customer. Legislation which fails to recognise that consumers are at the heart of what retailers do, is legislation that fails everyone.
"Anyone can make pledges and plans to ease the burden of business rates, taxes, regulation and red tape, but everything depends on whether promises are kept and plans implemented. They must not be left on the shelf to gather dust.
"Retail is the heartbeat of the economy, making a vital contribution to economic growth. But in 2005, with ever increasing costs and a slowdown in consumer spending, retailers face tougher trading conditions and some challenging times ahead.
"The sector carries a 2.8 million strong workforce and operates through 280,000 outlets across the UK - it is the fulcrum between the consumer and the wider world. There are few business sectors as important to community life as retailing but support from Government is crucial if we are to sustain this."
