Accountancy graduates' recruitment prospects may be boosted if firms follow the advice of one company.
D&G Hardware suggested that businesses could use the recession as an opportunity to move forward.
Owner Toby Roberts said at the Totally DIY show in Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre that obstacles must be overcome in order for companies to expand.
He added that "fantastic deals" are currently available from landlords, which might make it possible for firms to increase their number of branches and employ more people.
Mr Roberts added that firms can cut costs through striking deals with suppliers, as they will be more keen to reduce rates rather than lose business.
Figures from Christie + Co show that the cost of retail property fell by 9.8 per cent in 2009, while 2008 and 2007 saw a reduction of 6.5 per cent and 5.6 per cent respectively.
Meanwhile, the Local Data Company recently revealed that town centre vacancy rates rose to 12 per cent across the UK at the end of last year.
