In the 12 months of 2019, retail sales fell 0.1% across the sector, compared with 1.2% growth in 2018, according to the latest figures from the BRC-KPMG Sales Monitor.

On a total basis for December, sales increased 1.9% year on year, but the BRC said when taking November and December together – “to iron out the Black Friday distortions” – total sales actually declined 0.9% year on year.

On a like-for-like basis, December sales increased 1.7% on 2018 but, again, fell 1.2% with the preceding November and Black Friday dates taken into account.