In 2019, as ever, as the year end approached, retail sales peaked as shoppers made ready for Christmas and the New Year. With the festive buying period kicking off in November, the final two months of the year typically account for a considerable proportion of overall annual retail sales in a substantial number of economies. In light of this, many view the total sales recorded over this period as bellwethers of consumer demand in the individual markets and regional economies concerned. More
