The key highlights of the analysis are:

• Average like for like sales increase was +1.9% across 28 retailers that issued trading updates (compared with an increase of +0.8% over Christmas 2011)
• New technology scored heavily; both through consumers purchasing new technology products whilst also using new technology to effect those purchases
• Retailers whose online presence was either sub-standard or negligible often tended to suffer against the competition
• Whilst 2013 is likely to be a continuation of difficult trading conditions, those retailers with a strong ‘Unique Selling Proposition’ supported by robust pricing and ranging models together with powerful technology platforms (that allow mail order, internet and stores to meld into a seamless proposition) will continue to take market share from their competitors
• The full analysis can be read here [pdf]