Easter not retail success

Retailers suffered a terrible Easter weekend providing fresh evidence that slowing consumer spending has not yet bottomed out. Stores were prompted to try ever more ingenious ways of winning customers.

John Lewis's nationwide group and its online business saw a slump of 18-19 per cent on the Saturday, while Debenhams was last week telephoning at home 'valued customers' in the Birmingham area to tell them about special preview promotional evenings. Many retailers open on Good Friday and Easter Sunday made losses on the day, only staying open to conform to high street etiquette.