Kerchingle bells for High Street

BRITAIN’S high streets are roaring back to life as growing sales give stores a pre-Christmas boost and hope for the future.

Despite dire warnings that retail sales would be among the worst on record, official figures showed they grew 1.4 per cent in November – more than four times the rate experts predicted.

Economists had forecast growth of just 0.3 per cent following two months of decline. But the latest data revealed that shoppers had flocked to town centres in their droves to spend.

The strongest growth was in household goods stores, which were up 5.3 per cent, driven by an 11 per cent increase in electrical appliances.

The overall amount spent was 1.5 per cent higher than October.

The good news comes as shoppers are expected to splurge £3billion in stores today and tomorrow, on what have been dubbed Frenzied Friday and Super Saturday. Experts predict that over 48 hours Britain’s high streets will be packed with 21 million shoppers who will spend more than £1million every minute.

Jimmy New, director of marketing at VoucherCodes, said: “Super Saturday is one of the most important days in the retail calendar.

Smashed

“Millions of people finalise their Christmas preparations, with high street stores looking to capitalise on the increased footfall with lastminute deals and incentives.”

Yesterday’s Office for National Statistics figures come as the Daily Express Save The High Street crusade gathers huge support from those who want to see communities across Britain prosper and thrive.

High streets have been hit hard with household names like House of Fraser, Toys R Us, Poundworld and electronic retailer Maplin falling into administration.

New Look, Marks & Spencer and Debenhams have also announced store closures.

Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley said last month had been the “worst on record” and warned businesses could be “smashed to pieces” by poor trading.

He said: “It’s smashing us, everybody to pieces – there will be casualties. People can’t take that kind of painful November. If Primark says it’s bad, it’s bad.”

But a strong end to the year has provided optimism for 2019.

Economist Thomas Pugh said: “The big picture is that a continued acceleration in real earnings – assuming a Brexit deal is signed – should give household spending a boost next year.”

Yesterday’s ONS figures also revealed digital sales as a proportion of all retailing exceeded 20 per cent for the first time.

HAPPY SHOPPERS BAGGING CHRISTMAS CHEER

Becca Seddon helping a shopper yesterday ONE of Britain’s newest retail hotspots claims the high street is fighting back, with more shoppers splashing the cash than last year.

LiverpoolONE says its new Christmas Concierge service helped pull in 700,000 people in the last week, two per cent up from the same time in 2017.

Yesterday concierge Becca Seddon was seen telling shoppers where to find bargains, carrying bags and even booking restaurant tables.

Retail centres manager Intu reported an increase in shoppers, saying they realised many online items will not arrive in time. Operations director Gordon McKinnon said: “This shows the high street’s far from dead.”