Retailers need to ensure that they don’t squeeze suppliers until they squeak after a stream of bad press this week.

Maintaining amicable relationships with suppliers has never been more critical.

Today it was revealed that the administrator to Principles is receiving between 150 and 200 calls a day from creditors, suppliers and landlords in relation to the retailer’s administration.

Earlier this week, Retail Week revealed that Sir Philip Green has squeezed suppliers to Bhs, purportedly because he intends to “harmonise” rates as part of its merger in to Arcadia.

The choice of word is unfortunate as harmony is certainly not reigning at the fashion group or in other parts of the fashion sector.

In fact, the retailer/supplier relationship is at its most prickly, with similar stories from many parties, as retailers find themselves contending with cost price inflation, the impact of currency fluctuations and the result of the pulling of credit trade insurance. And it is likely that there will be more such stories over the coming months as the majority of retailers face the expiration of their hedges in the autumn.

However, in these straitened times the burden should be shared between retailers and supppliers.

Much in the way retailers clubbed together to increase transparency and open negotiations with landlords, retailers should work more collaboratively with their suppliers.

However, in the supplier/retailer relationship, unlike the landlord situation, the balance of power lands with the retailer rather than the supplier. Perhaps this is why retailers are less keen to join forces.

But the outpouring of interest by creditors to Mosaic – 5,000 have been in contact with Deloitte – shows the depth of feeling.

Some suppliers and retailers are responding in their own innovative way. Tomorrow’s Retail Week features a story on the launch of website Epiqfashion.com, a collaborative venture by a group of suppliers left with stock on their hands following the administration of Principles.

Some of these suppliers argue that Mosaic – whose credit insurance had been pulled following the woes of former backer Baugur – reassured suppliers about the group’s position before it went in to pre-pack, leaving them with unwanted stock.

And the retailer’s response? Directors of Principles, backed by the former management of Mosaic and administrator Deloitte, set up not-for-profit The Principles Trading Company, to help sell on the stock.

Being steadfast at the negotiating table is a given and there will always be those that complain about change, whatever the circumstances. But it doesn’t benefit either party to squeeze until the pips squeak.