Big fall in Black Friday UK retail sales despite online spending boom

Barclaycard figures show payments down by a 10th from last year amid Covid restrictions

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Retail sales on Black Friday have fallen sharply despite a boom in online spending as non-essential shops remain closed on England's high streets during the second coronavirus lockdown.

Retailers said online sales hit record levels on the pivotal discount day to soften the blow from the closure of stores. However, UK figures from Barclaycard, Britain's biggest credit card provider, show payments made in physical stores and online fell by more than a 10th comparedwith Black Friday a year ago.