Footfall rises, but margins may be hit
UK shoppers seem to have broken their Christmas shopping fast, with footfall increasing 8.7 per cent week on week at the start of December.

Research agency Footfall said shopper numbers were boosted by midweek Sales spectaculars last week, and said customers have used the promotions as a signal that they should start their Christmas shopping.

Footfall marketing director David Smyth said: 'The upswing in footfall figures this week bodes well for the final week before Christmas. If retailers continue to meet shoppers' needs and hold these popular sales events and special offers, it [this weekend] could well outperform the previous weekend.'