Retailers blamed interest rate rises and Christmas splurges for the slow start, but added that figures were skewed against last year because 2006 had an extra bank holiday, to make up for New Year's Eve falling on a Sunday.
One furniture retailer said that trading had been 'tough'. 'The way the days fell this year meant there have been less opportunities for selling. But belts have also tightened because of interest rate rises,' he said.
Dreams founder Mike Clare said the bed specialist's like-for-likes were up 5 per cent on last year, but added: 'New Year's Day was not very good. We opened later on New Year's Day to compensate for one less day [of Sales trading].'
But Seymour Pierce analyst Richard Ratner said fewer trading days did not explain the pattern of winners and losers this year. 'Furniture Village appears to have done better than DFS and ScS,' he said. 'Perhaps Argos has taken the bottom end of the market.'
Danish furniture retailer Ilva reported a 165 per cent uplift in footfall in its stores in the week following Christmas against the average week in December, despite a quiet New Year's Day.
'The quietest days were Christmas Eve and New Year's Day but, because Ilva is located in destination locations, this was expected,' said chief operating officer Colin Haggerty.
New Heights founder Toby Ash said trading was up on last year. 'We are seeing strong footfall. I believe one day's less trading will even out over January.'
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