Following a few years of low consumer confidence, Brexit uncertainty, several general elections and a Christmas dubbed “the worst in a decade” by the BRC, big-ticket retailers have been battered by the retail storm.

Selling non-essential items that only need to be replaced every five to 10 years is tricky in normal circumstances, but adding in the headwinds of recent years means some big-ticket retailers have been struggling to keep their heads above the rising water.

However, nearly a month into 2020, political uncertainty is subsiding, wages are on the rise – the national living wage will rise 6.2% for ages 25 and above in April – and unemployment is low. Does this spell the end for the big-ticket bashing or will only the best survive?