Retail gloom: it will need more than holly to cheer high street

Fragile consumer confidence, rising costs and online shopping leave shops vacant and cost jobsIt’s Christmas! Well, nearly. Last Friday, Argos was the first retailer to broadcast a festive TV ad, signalling the start of what has traditionally been an orgy of consumption in Britain’s shops.But behind the in-store displays of tinsel and looped selection of past Christmas hits, there isn’t much cheer for Britain’s high streets and shopping centres. Fragile consumer confidenc