A rush to beat Christmas shortages gave retailers a boost in November, according to official figures that showed sales jumped 1.4% on the previous month.
Fears that supply chain hold-ups would limit stocks of festive toys, jewellery, clothes and homeware sent shoppers rushing to buy on the high street and online before the usual retail spending spree in December.
Analysts said November could prove to be a high-water mark after the arrival of the Omicron variant, which is expected to dent sales in the weeks running up to Christmas Day and into the traditional Boxing Day and January sales period.
Black Friday proved to be a bigger hit than expected, pushing sales beyond the 0.8% growth seen in October, which analysts forecast would be repeated
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