Brits are shopping like thereโs no tomorrow! ๐ Despite rising COVID-19 variant worries, Black Friday sales lit up UK retail, with Oxford Street crowds rivaling pre-pandemic hustle. Forget social distancing โ itโs all about discount chasing this season! ๐ท
๐ฐ Sales Spike, Masks Take a Backseat
Barclaycard reported a 21.4% jump in early-morning payments compared to 2020, while Nationwide customers smashed records with 1.3 million purchases by 9 a.m. ๐ 'Tis the season for swiping cards, not swabbing noses โ mask usage was minimal as shoppers embraced the 'new normal' of post-lockdown retail therapy.
๐ Christmas Comeback on the Horizon?
Analysts say this spending spree could kickstart a strong holiday season. One Oxford Street store manager told us: 'It feels like 2019 again โ but with better hand sanitizer stations.' ๐ With Christmas around the corner, retailers are crossing their fingers for a December to remember.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com