UK shoppers indulge in late spending rush, but not for fashion – Visa

While there have been warnings on a weak retail performance this Christmas, not all reports are downbeat.

Visa, the major credit and debit card provider, delivered an outlook that paints a more positive message as consumers were out in force on ‘Super Saturday’ (21 December). But wait. It appears consumer budgets were focused on electronics and homewares rather than spending on clothing and accessories.

Overall spending was up 2.3% year-on-year during the seven weeks to 20 December, led by a 6.1% rise online, according to Visa, boosted by sales of electronics and homewares.

But sales of clothing and accessories are down 2% year on year, pointing to a tough end to the season for the fashion industry after a mild autumn that sparked a wave of discounting.

Analysts at Visa said the late Black Friday promotions, which this year spilled into December, had pulled some Christmas shopping forward – contributing to a decrease in shopping activity from the middle of the month.

Alicia Ngomo Fernandez, the head of UK consulting at Visa told The Guardian newspaper: “This holiday season we observed a tentative rebound in consumer confidence, reflected in moderate growth in overall sales and stronger online shopping – as well as solid growth in spending at department stores.”

Recent poor December footfall figures also reflect the timing of Christmas, with two weekdays left for shopping after the weekend and many families only starting their holidays on Saturday.