Sales for the first half of December were the slowest on the high street for over a year.

According to the December CBI Distributive Trades Survey, sales increased only 8 per cent – the smallest increase since November 2006. Only 42 per cent of retailers achieved positive year-on-year rises in the period between November 29 and December 12, with 33 per cent suffering negative year-on-year growth.

Grocers achieved the best positive increase – up 32 per cent – with footwear and leather retailers reporting the sharpest slump of -87 per cent. Furniture and carpet retailers reported a balance of -11 per cent and hardware, china and DIY stores were down -4 per cent.

The sluggish start to the Christmas period has left many retailers feeling pessimistic about trading in the new year.

CBI chairman John Longworth said: “Retailers will be hoping that shoppers plan to fill their stockings late, especially as Christmas falls soon after the weekend this year. But the outlook for January does not fill them with cheer, because they expect a slight fall in sales.”