Sales figures sag as economy slows Customers spurn luxury in favour of useful items, special offers

CHRISTMAS spending is expected to be slashed this year as economic uncertainty and a poor consumer outlook continue to squeeze South Africans pockets, a Deloitte survey found. Some East London retailers confirmed a downtick in consumer spending, but were hopeful they would steer through the season relatively unscathed. Another retail survey, by the Border-Kei Chamber of Business, indicated that furniture sales in East London dipped by a staggering 20.15 percent in the third quarter of this...