Retail sales in Great Britain fall as shoppers rein in festive spending

Surprise December drop a result of cost of living crisis forcing people to cut budgets in run-up to Christmas

Retail sales in Great Britain fell unexpectedly in December as cost-conscious consumers cut back on spending in the run-up to Christmas in response to higher prices, surging bills and a weak economic backdrop.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the surprise 1% decline in sales volumes - economists had forecast a rise of 0.5% - was down to factors including rampant increases in food prices and a fall in online purchases as consumers worried about a wave of postal strikes affecting Christmas deliveries.