UK retail sales fell sharply in December

Data showed that UK retail sales fell to 8 in December from 39 in November, the lowest reading since non-essential stores were closed in March, and Covid-19 cases rose more than 60% in Britain over the past week.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has so far refrained from further legal restrictions to slow the spread of the new omicron variant, but he has not ruled out further action.

CBI said that retailers have a lot of inventory at the moment but fear that the lack of staff will lead to renewed disruption to supply chains next month.