Black Friday boost sparks retail hopes

BLACK Friday drove an easing of shop price increases in November, amid hopes for retailers that consumer confidence will rebound in the final weeks before Christmas.

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Overall shop prices were 0.6% higher than a year ago last month, down from 1% in October, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and market research firm NIQ.

Food inflation also slowed, to 3% from October's 3.7%, as widespread promotions meant price rises eased especially in dairy, fruit, bread and cereals. However, inflation remained stubbornly high for oils and fats as well as meat and fish.

BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: "Black Friday deals began earlier than normal as competition between retailers hit fever pitch.