British shoppers out in force as retailers hope for pre-Christmas boom - Winnipeg Free Press

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People walk across Oxford Circus in London, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011. British officials said Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011 retail sales fell in November despite price reductions at many major stores. The figures raise concerns about whether the Christmas season will also be disappointing for British retailers. (AP Photo/Sang Tan)

LONDON - Shoppers are thronging Britain's streets and shopping malls on the last Saturday before Christmas, one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

Beleaguered retailers are hoping the holiday rush will help offset a disappointing year.

Britain's national statistics office says retail sales fell 0.4 per cent in November compared to the month before.

Consumers have been cutting back on spending amid fears that Britain faces another recession as the government tries to reduce the budget deficit with big spending cuts.

Gordon McKinnon, director of operations at Manchester's Trafford Center mall, said shoppers "have left it later this year, holding off spending until as late as possible," but that sales of jewelry, beauty products and women's footwear are picking up.