Chistmas Crisis

High street retailers are bracing themselves for a 'crisis Christmas' amid fears several of the UK's biggest chains will be forced to issue new year profit warnings. Ecomomist and analysts believe a combination of uncertain weather, bargain-hunting consumers and economic gloom could lead to the worst festive traidng period for at least three years, with speculation centering on Boots, Dixons, Marks & Spencer and WH Smith as the retailers most likely to suffer.