Beverages and crockery still hold some interest with shoppers
Coffee to homewares retailer Whittard of Chelsea has managed to increase like-for-like sales by 3.7 per cent for the 30 weeks to December 26. However, the rise was below the retailer's expectations.

More detailed figures for the first half of Whittard's current financial year will be released on January 28. Pre-tax profit for the period is expected to be in line with market forecasts.