Retailers saw their sales volumes fall at a firm pace in the year to November, according to the CBI’s latest quarterly Distributive Trades Survey. Firms anticipate little festive cheer in December, with a similar rate of decline expected next month. Retailers remain pessimistic about their business prospects for the next three months, which is reflected in declining employment numbers and deteriorating investment intentions. The key survey findings included: Retail sales declined in the year to November (-19% from +18% in October) with a broadly similar fall expected next month (-21%). Sales volumes were seen as ... (full story)