The high street has reported a much-needed uplift in sales since the beginning of December as Christmas shoppers finally loosen their purse strings.
John Lewis told Retail Week there has been a dramatic change in the past 10 days, which director of selling operations Nat Wakely put down to four factors: the VAT cut, the interest rate cut, cold weather and pay day. “Every day bar one we have seen single-digit decreases, which is much better than it has been,” said Wakely. In the week to Saturday (December 6) John Lewis said sales improved 20 per cent week on week.
Marks & Spencer said the popularity of its one-day Sale meant it had to tell online shoppers that deliveries would take two to three days longer than usual. The retailer has also withdrawn next-day and nominated day delivery on clothing and home goods because of the overall level of demand online.
The level of discounting on the high street is thought to have finally attracted shoppers. Several retailers told Retail Week the hype around the huge discounts splashed in the media had generated interest and was bringing people out to shop. Experian FootFall said shopper numbers were down 1.5 per cent last weekend, which, although negative, made it one of the busiest weekends since mid-November.
As Debenhams launched another three-day Sale this week, M&S revealed another raft of discounts – including 30 per cent off some clothing lines – that will run until Christmas. The initiative was read by industry observers as a sign that M&S was unlikely to run another one-day Sale.
Office chief executive Brian McCluskey said some shoppers were becoming “glazed” by permanent discounts and argued that the cold weather had drawn shoppers. Office sales rose 8 per cent like for like last week and the footwear retailer reported its best week online to date.
The news of more robust trading will come as a relief to beleaguered retailers, who suffered a 0.4 per cent drop in the total value of sales in November, according to the BRC. It is the first time in 14 years that sales have dropped for two months in a row.
Marks & Spencer said the popularity of its one-day Sale meant it had to tell online shoppers that deliveries would take two to three days longer than usual. The retailer has also withdrawn next-day and nominated day delivery on clothing and home goods because of the overall level of demand online.
The level of discounting on the high street is thought to have finally attracted shoppers. Several retailers told Retail Week the hype around the huge discounts splashed in the media had generated interest and was bringing people out to shop. Experian FootFall said shopper numbers were down 1.5 per cent last weekend, which, although negative, made it one of the busiest weekends since mid-November.
As Debenhams launched another three-day Sale this week, M&S revealed another raft of discounts – including 30 per cent off some clothing lines – that will run until Christmas. The initiative was read by industry observers as a sign that M&S was unlikely to run another one-day Sale.
Office chief executive Brian McCluskey said some shoppers were becoming “glazed” by permanent discounts and argued that the cold weather had drawn shoppers. Office sales rose 8 per cent like for like last week and the footwear retailer reported its best week online to date.
The news of more robust trading will come as a relief to beleaguered retailers, who suffered a 0.4 per cent drop in the total value of sales in November, according to the BRC. It is the first time in 14 years that sales have dropped for two months in a row.
No comments yet