Online sales boost as festive trading kicks in

Online sales jumped by 16 per cent last month as retailers geared up for a festive season expected to see record internet trading.
While online sales surged, overall retail results in November were up on last year. Picture: Ian GeorgesonWhile online sales surged, overall retail results in November were up on last year. Picture: Ian Georgeson
While online sales surged, overall retail results in November were up on last year. Picture: Ian Georgeson

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) figures came as online retailers looked for their busiest day of the year on so-called Cyber Monday when internet shopping figures consistently peak.

But BRC said faster delivery times and the popularity of click-and-collect services mean shoppers could be more prepared to leave ordering online closer to Christmas.

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The whole retail sector reported sales growth of 2.3 per cent in November compared with a year earlier, with the figure excluding changes in store space up 0.6 per cent.

The BRC said November’s sales got off to a slow start but picked up in a big way in the final week.

David McCorquodale, head of retail at survey partner KPMG, said: “Shoppers are playing a waiting game and delaying purchases for as long as possible in the hope of securing a discount. Quite who will crack first in this war of nerves remains to be seen.”

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