UK retail sales under pressure
It has been revealed that like-for-like retail sales in November grew by 1.8% although this was compared to one of the worst months in recent times, i.e. November 2008. Even though the comparison was against a dire month last year it was still worse than expected and is causing concern amongst analysts. There had been hopes of later that the UK retail sector was starting to show signs of life again but unfortunately pressure seems to be building and like-for-like sales growth is struggling to meet expectations.
As we approach the end of the vital festive period we await the many retail updates expected in January which will confirm how the UK retail market performed in November and December. It is interesting to see that a number of companies, yet again, have brought forward their Christmas and New Year sales with retailers looking to grab the attention of customers as soon as possible and relieve them of their hard earned cash!
As we have mentioned on numerous occasions of late, it is likely that we will see a number of retailers struggling in the early part of 2010 with suggestions that many banks are supporting their customers in the short term to maximise Christmas trade and will then review the situation.
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