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Less overt discounting among retailers in the Christmas buildup, say PwC

A small study of retailers by PwC would suggest fewer are using discounting in the run up to Christmas.

64% of 100 high street retailers were on sale or advertising promotions in their shop window, such as 3 for 2.

The amount is down on this time last year and 2011 - 69% and 66% respectively - but up from the 55% seen in 2010.

However, average price discounts being advertised this week were 42%, compared to 36% last year. Bill MacLeod, incoming senior partner at PwC in Newcastle said: “Christmas is fast approaching and retailers appear to be in pretty good shape. The steady number of retailers running promotions suggests that there is a base level of activity which is seen as necessary to be ‘in the game’ - however there seems to be much less overt discounting this year so far.

“The brighter macro-economic climate seems to be having the greater influence currently on festive consumer spend, but expect the unexpected in the next week - both in-store and online - as the fight for the Christmas spending will go to the wire.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by PwC .