The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has reported a 1.5% fall in UK retail sales in December, MoM, citing a shift in shoppers' habits as they looked to take advantage of Black Friday sales in November. Marks and Spencer, Debenhams and Mothercare were among high street retailers to report a decline. But the ONS said that while it was too early to say whether this reflected an overall decline or just seasonal fluctuations, there had been "a significant increase in online sales".
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has reported a 1.5% fall in UK retail sales in December, MoM, citing a shift in shoppers' habits as they looked to take advantage of Black Friday sales in November. Marks and Spencer, Debenhams and Mothercare were among high street retailers to report a decline. Online shopping now accounted for almost a fifth of all sales, the ONS said, adding that retail would add almost nothing to economic growth for Q4 2017.