The FTSE 100 fell on Friday morning as UK retail sales figures came in weaker than expected, capping a week of disappointing data points.
The volume of purchased goods rose 0.2% in November to fall short of the expected 0.5% as weaker clothing sales offset stronger supermarket sales, according to the Office for National Statistics.
‘A marginal rise in November retail sales was not helped by the fact Black Friday fell outside of the ONS November reporting window this year. Investors in the sector will be hoping there has been a last-minute rush through December as people loosened their purse strings ahead of Christmas,’ said AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould.