Black Friday fails to rally UK shoppers as sales look sluggish

Fewer online purchases and less high street footfall reported in early trading but retailers remain hopeful as monthly payday looms

Shoppers took to their laptops and flocked to high streets on Black Friday in what is expected to be one of the busiest retail days of 2023 - but early indications are that this will be a more muted affair compared with previous years.

Sales in cash terms are expected to be on a par with 2022, but prices are higher due to a year of rampant inflation, meaning fewer items will actually be sold over the US-inspired discount period. By lunchtime on Friday, some retailers had seen a slight uplift, but online activity was flat and footfall down more than 5% at shopping destinations.