Even big mail-order retailers such as J.

ECONOMIST: Electronic commerce

"Online and mail-order retailers should collect sales tax at the point of purchase, too, so there will be a level playing field, " says Jason Brewer, a spokesman for the Retail Industry Leaders Association, which includes nine of the 10 largest merchants.

WSJ: Get Ready For the Online Sales Tax

The rapid growth of Tesco and other supermarkets into clothes and household appliances - staple mail order goods - has squeezed smaller retailers.

BBC: NEWS | Business | Mail order looks beyond the printed page