A bleak Christmas for retailers as consumers cut back on spending
Figures have been released by the Office for National Statistics
Shoppers cut down on both how much they bought and the amount they spent at the end of last year, new figures show.
In the three months to December, amount spent and quantity bought fell 0.9% and 1% respectively when compared with the previous three months, the Office for National Statistics said.
On a month-by-month basis, the amount spent dropped 0.3% and quantity bought was down 0.6%, compared with increases of 1.5% and 0.9% respectively a year earlier.
Rhian Murphy, ONS head of retail sales, said: "Retail sales fell sharply in the latest three months, with almost all sectors showing a decline.
"The longer-term picture is still one of growth, although it has slowed considerably in recent months.
"December was the fifth consecutive month with no growth as food stores suffered particularly poor sales, showing the steepest fall for three years."
The figures come as the British Retail Consortium reported earlier this month that December had been a difficult month for the high street.
Published: by Radio NewsHub