Black Friday shopping was lacklustre this year as consumers restrained spending due to concerns that the Budget could deliver tax hikes, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and KPMG. Retail sales rose by 1.4% in November, down from 1.6% in October and below the 12-month average of 2.5%. Helen Dickinson, head of the BRC, said: “Pre-Budget jitters among shoppers meant the month of Black Friday did not deliver as strongly as retailers had hoped.” Linda Ellett, UK head of consumer, retail and leisure at KPMG, said: “Rising household costs and nervousness about the economy continue to impact discretionary buying,” adding that retailers “will be hoping that Budget clarity has now provided more certainty for consumers about their ability to spend in the months ahead.”
