UK: Christmas sales to improve from last year

Retail Week reports that Christmas sales in the UK are expected to be higher than last year, according to Verdict, a retail consultancy based in the UK. Factors such as rising consumer confidence, decrease in petrol prices and high bonus' in the City will help in boosting the figures for this year.

Electricals is set to be the star performer this Christmas, with the sector benefiting from a strong pipeline of affordable products. Clothing retailers are likely to struggle and online retailers are preparing for another record in Christmas sales.

Verdict expects the value of goods bought online in the fourth quarter to rise by 3.5 per cent, reaching £3.4 billion – 4.5 per cent of total Christmas spending.