Black Friday

UK Retail Sales Shrink Unexpectedly In December – ONS

British retail sales fell unexpectedly in December according to data that raised the risk of an economic contraction in the fourth quarter.

Shoppers in the UK last month saw the sharpest fall in prices in more than three years but 2025 spells a return to higher costs, the BRC said.

Black Friday spending helped lift retail sales in late 2024, the British Retail Consortium said on Tuesday.

Britain’s biggest supermarkets were the big winners at Christmas, according to industry data published by Kantar on Tuesday.

The number of people visiting British shops last year fell by 2.2% in the biggest drop since 2021, industry data showed on Friday.

Bank of Ireland has revealed a 30% surge in credit and debit card spend ahead of Christmas this year compared to the same period last year.

UK shoppers are expected to spend more this Christmas due to lower inflation and strong promotions, according to the latest data from NIQ.

Irish consumer sentiment remained unchanged in November as increased spending was countered by uncertain geopolitical terrain.

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