Black Friday and Christmas sales have provided a significant boost to the UK retail sector, even as concerns rise over a new COVID-19 variant in Europe. What began as a U.S. shopping phenomenon has now become a global event, drawing millions of shoppers to participate each year.
London’s iconic Oxford Street was bustling with tens of thousands of shoppers this Friday, embracing the festive spirit with little social distancing or mask-wearing in many areas. This surge comes after England lifted most legal COVID-19 restrictions in July, allowing retailers to operate more freely.
The impact on consumer spending is evident. Barclaycard reported a 21.4 percent increase in payments between midnight and 9 a.m. compared to the same period in 2020. Meanwhile, Nationwide, a prominent high street bank, revealed that its customers made 1.3 million purchases by 9 a.m., marking a 24 percent year-on-year rise.
The robust sales figures reflect a resilient retail market in the UK, as businesses capitalize on the holiday shopping season to drive growth and recovery. Retailers across the country are preparing for continued consumer enthusiasm as Christmas approaches, aiming to maintain the upward trend and support the broader economy.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
