Richard Lowe, Head of Retail & Wholesale at Barclays comments on today's ONS Retail Sales figures:

"While Christmas wasn't a cracker, compared with last December sales are marginally up.

"Three weeks into 2013 and barely a day has gone by without the retail sector hitting the headlines. This will undoubtedly colour the mood on the high street over the next few weeks but, behind the scenes the sector is investing heavily in new channels such as click and collect to make shopping as easy as possible for consumers and ensure sales hold".

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