Early data suggest that the Black Friday weekend was difficult for UK retailers, with footfall in shops down sharply and an insufficient rise in online business to offset caution on the high street.
Footfall was down more than 5% year on year on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, according to Springboard, a consultancy. Meanwhile, Barclaycard said that while online transactions were up, the value of spending was down.
The indications that the consumer has started the important Christmas season in cautious mood, despite heavy discounting, will add to pressures in the retail sector, which has led to House of Fraser, Poundworld, Toys ‘R’ Us and Maplin falling into administration this year.
