New British Retail Consortium figures have left the UK retail industry confident of a strong 2007 – with the travel sector among the most positive.
The BRC’s sales figures for December, released this week, show a 2.5% year-on-year increase, with the BRC predicting positive January figures based on a strong final week of 2006.
Meanwhile, a Barclarycard Business survey showed travel retailers are the third most confident sector with 37% predicting a good 2007. Only wholesale and recreation, culture and sport are more confident with figures of 42% and 38% respectively.
However, the outlook for online travel providers is less clear. Web analysts Hitwise said post-Christmas hits are up 123% for online agencies and 51% for airlines, compared to two weeks before Christmas, although year-on-year comparisons are less positive with January visitor numbers down 17% for online agencies and 11% for airlines.