After the “Christmas gift” which was offered to retailers by the shoppers on the Boxing Day with high sales, comes a slack in sales during 2010.

Consumers would not lighten their pockets on spending, according to a new survey. The BRC survey also reported that sales would not improve on 2009.

The British Chambers of Commerce revealed that 63% of businesses are planning wage freezes or pay cuts next year.

Unemployment, the weak economy and increases in personal taxes would hamper these sales in 2010 as predicted by some.

BRC Director-General Stephen Robertson said, ”The inevitable tax rises will mean people have less to spend and retailers will have to work even harder to win the battle for hard-pressed customers. But factors such as weak consumer demand and rising unemployment are at the heart of retailers' concerns about how the recovery will pan out".