The proliferation of Omicron brands and new restrictions keeps UK consumers at home

High risk of coronavirus infection and massive restrictions in some parts of the UK kept consumers away from highways on Boxing Day while some major retailers were left closed on a very busy marketing day.

The discount was down 45 per cent compared to Boxing Day 2019 at the UK retail store, according to data collected by Springboard until Sunday afternoon.

Central London, where government data shows that one in 20 people have been infected with the Omicron coronavirus, was the worst hit by buyers 67 percent below 2019 levels, a group of marketing experts said.

On Oxford Road, the main thoroughfare, there were lanes to enter Selfridges but other major stores, including Marks and Spencer, John Lewis and Next did not open.

Diane Wehrle, director of insights at Springboard, criticized the downturn in “consumer fears that continue to grow in the Covid epidemic” and the move by some major retailers to keep it open.

The idea of ​​three regimes removed from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to impose tougher sanctions than in England since Sunday was reflected in what happened.

In Northern Ireland, the number of consumers was 73 percent lower than on the same day in 2019. In Wales, which also introduces social services, the figure was 53% lower. In Scotland, declines dropped by 50 percent.

In England, where UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson stopped taking action to stop the spread of Omicron, the decline has dropped by 43%.

The UK reports 122,000 cases of coronavirus on Friday but stopped short of counting over the Christmas weekend. Johnson is expected to take a look at Omicron’s most recent Monday and decide whether another guide or ban should be imposed in England in preparation for the New Year celebrations.

The Prime Minister has promised to remember parliament before imposing more restrictions but it is too late to do so before the new year: parliamentary recall requires 48 hours notice.

Those familiar with Johnson’s views said they could tighten the noose if the hospitals on display could be at risk of being overburdened.

The findings over the weekend revealed that people with the Omicron virus were 70 percent less likely to be hospitalized than those with Delta.

“Recent research on Omicron reinforces Boris’ idea of ​​caution. I don’t see why he would remember anyone in Westminster when things started to look like we could go through,” said one minister.

The British Retail Consortium warned non-food retailers had lost £ 30bn in the previous three locks and said any restrictions “could further increase retailers’ stress on highways while many recover from closed backs”.

Even before the epidemic, Boxing Day had lost its reputation as an important day for retailers due to the rise of online retailers, which are experiencing frequent discounts – which the epidemic has grown.

Data from Barclaycard shows that 45 percent of consumers want to avoid highways and look for online sales which are expected to be $ 247, up $ 61 against 2019.

Richard Hyman, an independent business analyst, commented on the Boxing Day commercial, “there is not even a hint of gray [their] who already ”.