Christmas trading was not exceptional according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) with Director General Helen Dickinson saying, “Overall, Christmas hasn’t been a boom time for UK retailers but it hasn’t been complete doom and gloom either."  

"There are big variations in individual retail performances but total spending is likely to be up modestly on last year though only broadly in line with shop price inflation.”

Online sales growth accelerated although overall this represents just over 10 per cent of total retail sales. 

As always, there was a last minute Christmas rush although it came later this year. 

Generally customers bought only similar amounts to last year. Sales were hard-fought and often driven by discounts so cutting into margins, though retailers worked hard to ensure they had the right products available, whether in store or online, and at the right prices.

“As we look to the New Year, utility prices are likely to edge up inflation and people are keen to continue paying down their debt, which means the amount of money they have in their pockets will remain under pressure. So, 2013 will be characterised by more of the same and there’s every sign that the ongoing endurance test for retailers of trading in a largely no-growth environment is likely to continue well into next year” said Dickinson.