Christmas shopping figures show downturn

Christmas is coming - but retailers are reportedly feeling a pinch in overall sales compared to the same period as last year.

The British Retail Consortium has warned that Christmas may not come to the high street until the last week or two before Christmas day itself.

Already retailers such as Argos, Currys, Debenhams and Borders are among the high street stores leading price cuts.

Other retailers, such as House of Fraser, Homebase, Focus, Tesco, Halfords and Superdrug, are following close behind.

However, although the high street is worried, online retailers should expect a continued boom as shoppers increasingly turn to the internet for a simpler and easier shopping experience.

It remains to be seen just how divided the spend is between both, once the ONS releases figures after festivities have died down.