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| Christmas shoppers 'to spend £1.2bn on Panic Saturday' | Christmas shoppers 'to spend £1.2bn on Panic Saturday' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| £1.2bn is expected to be spent by UK shoppers on the last Saturday before Christmas, with researchers calling it "Panic Saturday". | £1.2bn is expected to be spent by UK shoppers on the last Saturday before Christmas, with researchers calling it "Panic Saturday". |
| Some 13m consumers will be shopping for gifts and groceries, said the Centre for Retail Research (CRR). | |
| The seven-day period before Christmas Day is set to see a 7% rise in spending on the same time last year, it added. | The seven-day period before Christmas Day is set to see a 7% rise in spending on the same time last year, it added. |
| Department stores can expect to double their takings this weekend, according to a payments processing firm. | |
| Consumer analyst, Sue Hayward said: "People are starting to get a little more money in their pockets. We are seeing things like petrol and food prices slightly down. | Consumer analyst, Sue Hayward said: "People are starting to get a little more money in their pockets. We are seeing things like petrol and food prices slightly down. |
| "It is important for the retailers that they entice people into spending this money rather than obviously paying off their mortgage which may be the sensible option." | "It is important for the retailers that they entice people into spending this money rather than obviously paying off their mortgage which may be the sensible option." |
| UK retail sales rose at their fastest annual rate in more than 10 years in November, thanks to the effects of Black Friday, official figures show. | UK retail sales rose at their fastest annual rate in more than 10 years in November, thanks to the effects of Black Friday, official figures show. |
| Sales rose 6.4% compared with November last year, the highest annual increase since May 2004. | Sales rose 6.4% compared with November last year, the highest annual increase since May 2004. |
| On a monthly basis they rose by 1.6%, with growth in all areas for the first time since December 2013. | On a monthly basis they rose by 1.6%, with growth in all areas for the first time since December 2013. |
| 'Break all records' | 'Break all records' |
| Britain's "Black Friday" shopping surge in late November saw retail sales grow at their fastest pace for nearly 27 years, figures from the bosses' group the CBI show. | Britain's "Black Friday" shopping surge in late November saw retail sales grow at their fastest pace for nearly 27 years, figures from the bosses' group the CBI show. |
| The survey found 71% of firms reported sales volumes up on a year ago while 9% said they were down, giving a balance of 61% - the highest since January 1988. | The survey found 71% of firms reported sales volumes up on a year ago while 9% said they were down, giving a balance of 61% - the highest since January 1988. |
| Barry Williams, CBI distributive trades survey chairman, said: "The strongest sales growth for a quarter of a century is a big boost for retailers as they head towards the climax of the crucial pre-Christmas trading period." | Barry Williams, CBI distributive trades survey chairman, said: "The strongest sales growth for a quarter of a century is a big boost for retailers as they head towards the climax of the crucial pre-Christmas trading period." |
| Analysis | Analysis |
| Joe Lynam, BBC News business correspondent | Joe Lynam, BBC News business correspondent |
| Included in this £1.2bn estimate from the CRR for "Panic Saturday" spending will be quite a bit of food and drink bought to sustain consumers over the holiday period. | Included in this £1.2bn estimate from the CRR for "Panic Saturday" spending will be quite a bit of food and drink bought to sustain consumers over the holiday period. |
| But even excluding grocery spending, this festive season could break all records for Christmas shopping. | But even excluding grocery spending, this festive season could break all records for Christmas shopping. |
| For the first time since 2008 we feel economically more secure. Record numbers are in work and unemployment is down to 6%. | For the first time since 2008 we feel economically more secure. Record numbers are in work and unemployment is down to 6%. |
| On top of that, petrol and energy costs are falling thanks to a plummeting oil price and our supermarket bills seem to be shrinking too thanks to a price war between the grocers. | On top of that, petrol and energy costs are falling thanks to a plummeting oil price and our supermarket bills seem to be shrinking too thanks to a price war between the grocers. |
| All in all, many of us may be feeling wealthier and we're set to reflect that feeling in what - and how much - we spend this month. | All in all, many of us may be feeling wealthier and we're set to reflect that feeling in what - and how much - we spend this month. |
| Alongside Christmas stockings, credit card bills might also be bulging soon. | Alongside Christmas stockings, credit card bills might also be bulging soon. |
| The survey comes a day after figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed Black Friday helped the retail sector grow by 1.6% month-on-month in November, its fastest pace for 11 months. | The survey comes a day after figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed Black Friday helped the retail sector grow by 1.6% month-on-month in November, its fastest pace for 11 months. |
| Year-on-year growth was the best for more than a decade, according to the ONS, though the 6.4% rise compared with a period in 2013 that did not include Black Friday trading. | Year-on-year growth was the best for more than a decade, according to the ONS, though the 6.4% rise compared with a period in 2013 that did not include Black Friday trading. |
| Outlets in the North of England are predicted to benefit the most according to data released by payment processing company Worldpay. | Outlets in the North of England are predicted to benefit the most according to data released by payment processing company Worldpay. |
| "Many of these eleventh-hour shoppers will be breaking into a cold sweat at the thought of heading to the high street on the busiest shopping day of the year and praying for someone to take the pain away," said Worldpay UK managing director Dave Hobday. | "Many of these eleventh-hour shoppers will be breaking into a cold sweat at the thought of heading to the high street on the busiest shopping day of the year and praying for someone to take the pain away," said Worldpay UK managing director Dave Hobday. |
| "Panic Saturday" follows on from Cyber Monday - the busiest day for people doing their Christmas shopping online - and the large discounts offered on Black Friday, which originated in the US. | "Panic Saturday" follows on from Cyber Monday - the busiest day for people doing their Christmas shopping online - and the large discounts offered on Black Friday, which originated in the US. |
| UK retail sales rose at their fastest annual rate in more than 10 years in November, thanks to the effect of Black Friday, which saw scuffles break out in stores as shoppers tried to bag a bargain. | |
| Are you doing last minute festive shopping this weekend? Do you work in the retail or hospitality industries? Email your comment to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | |
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