Department stores experience rise in sales of almost 7%, while Visa says online spending up 6.1%

Shoppers surged on to UK high streets on Saturday amid signs they are spending more in stores and on the internet than last year in the run-up to Christmas as retailers hope for a last-minute rush.

Spending was up 2.3% year on year during the seven weeks to 20 December, led by a 6.1% rise online, according to the credit and debit card provider Visa. Shoppers focused on electronics and homeware, with sales rising almost 7% in department stores and electronics sales up 1.3%.