B&M, JD Sports, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s all increased sales but Greggs and M&S struggled
The crucial pre-Christmas trading period for retailers was disrupted in 2020 by stop-start coronavirus restrictions, which forced shops selling non-essential items to close their doors for certain periods of time, following months of shutdown earlier in the year.
As the nation stayed at home, shoppers bought leisurewear but overall fewer items of clothing, knocking sales at fashion retailers. Meanwhile, the big supermarkets benefited from their essential retailer status, as consumers spent more money on groceries instead of in restaurants, cafes and pubs.
