- Like-for-like sales on the rise
- Clothing and home sales ahead of expectations
In broad terms, the grocers were the biggest winners of the Christmas period. Food sales in December were up 3.3 per cent on the previous year, while non-food sales dropped by 1.5 per cent, according to the British Retail Consortium.
And despite a price war breaking out in the run-up to Christmas over carrots, sprouts and other seasonal veg, a key feature of the festive period has been customers’ willingness to splash out. Tesco reported a 15.5 per cent increase in sales of its Finest range and even Aldi saw a 12 per cent uplift for its premium range.