High Street shops expect sales to fall in 2011

High Streets and shopping malls across the UK are expecting a tough year according to a survey by the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

It found that 64% of retailers thought sales would worsen in 2011 due to the impending VAT rise and fears about the economy.

Only 18% expected an improvement in sales and 18% thought conditions would stay the same.

Richard Dodd from the British Retail Consortium said that there was a lot for retailers to worry about in 2011, particularly the impact of the public sector spending cuts.