Shoppers splash the cash

Retailers have just notched up their busiest weekend of the year as UK shoppers came out in droves, defying abysmal weather conditions to fill the festive tills across the country.

According to The Telegraph, Capital Shopping Centres, which has stakes in some of the largest shopping centres in the UK, said Saturday was its busiest trading day of the year.

Trevor Pereira, commercial director at CSC told The Telegraph: “We knew, being the last weekend before Christmas Day, that some last-minute panic shopping would happen. We have seen a spike in sales of traditional gifts: perfume sets, DVDs, gadgets for men and novelty toys for children.”

John Lewis has also reported record sales in the week ending 19 September. Its sales during the seven days totalled £112 million, 15.5% up on the same week last year and 11.4% higher than the equivalent week in 2007.

Meanwhile, Barclays predicted that consumers will spend £23m on debit cards during this month, while Sainsbury’s Finance estimates that £10.6 billion will be withdrawn from ATMs this month – roughly £619m more than December last year.

Jane Parkinson, 21.12.2009