UK holiday retail sales fall as shoppers pull back

Weaker performance: Shoppers crossing Oxford Street during the holiday sales in London. The festive feel-good factor was lacking as many retailers faced a disappointing December, according to KPMG. — AFP

LONDON: The crucial Christmas shopping period appears weaker than expected in the United Kingdom as consumers, burdened by higher inflation, carefully watched their spending.

Total sales grew 1.7% in December, compared with almost 7% growth a year earlier, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and consultancy KPMG said in a report yesterday.