Slowdown fears fail to halt sales boom

Shoppers are poised to carry on spending in the High Street despite fears of a recessionary slowdown in the New Year.

Analysts expect the retail boom that contributed to a bumper Christmas to continue through the January sales.

Official figures for December - out next week from the British Retail Consortium - are expected to confirm last month was one of the best ever run-ups to Christmas.

Bridget Rosewell, chief economic adviser to the BRC, said: "December was a very strong month indeed, with good sales across the board. January is always busy and consumers appear to be determined to spend."

Keeping the tills ringing in the High Street is seen by both the business community and the Government as the best hope of fighting off the recessionary chill affecting most economies.

So far consumers have already splashed out on a £25 billion Christmas, the biggest for years, followed by a record breaking £15 billion in the post-Christmas sales.