Christmas Retailers Optimistic

With less than eight weeks to go until Christmas, retailers are expected to play on the festive theme to lure customers into their stores. In the current economic climate will shoppers be willing to part with their cash? Sky's Amanda Walker reports.

It's that time again. Having just scraped in November, already we are confronted with lights, decorations and all things festive. But in the retail industry, Christmas is something that's definitely worth preparing for. Stores know it's their most important time of the year. What they don't know is how generous customers are going to be with their cash. Last year, December retail sales figures fell by 0.4% and that was without a looming recession. But in Selfridges in London, they are being optimistic.

I think people are definitely uh, a little bit more cautious about what they are spending their money on. But the challenges to us to worth that a little bit harder and to make sure that their Christmas shopping experience is easy and enjoyable.

Yes. I'm gonna spend this

No matter what happens, you know, you have to buy something

Cheaper presents, surely, and try to drink less champagne

I might eat a little bit less, but apart from that, no, we should still enjoy Christmas

In Leeds, more optimism. This jeweler is already dealing with festive-minded shoppers. I keep hearing doom and gloom on the news and I'm thinking, oh, not gonna happen. But already we are finding people love Christmas shopping . It's in their minds. We've found people putting deposit something. It's really building in this Christmas, we are expecting to be really quite good.

What's certain this year is that high streets and shopping centers won't be holding back when it comes to decorations and festive music. They know that they play a crucial part in getting people to spend their money. The question is would it be enough.

Amanda Walker, SKYNEWS, Kingston in Surrey.