UK data, like for like sales in December -0.7% y/y (expected -0.3%)

British Retail Consortium (BRC) / KPMG data for Sep. showing like for like (excludes the effect of changes in store floor space)

-0.7% y/y

• expected -0.3% y/y, prior -0.5%

For the 'total' sales, comes in at 0% y/y … the worst since 2008 (August)

• prior +0.5%

"This comes despite some retailers desperately attempting to generate sales through slashed pricing, which has seemingly not been enough to encourage shoppers," said Paul Martin, a partner at accountants KPMG who sponsor the survey.