After a sharp fall in sales, Woolworths, has issued a profits warning, with like-for-like sales having fallen 6.5pc in the 18 weeks to December 2. Trevor Bish Jones, chief executive, cited falling prices in the DVD market as among the reasons.

In an untimely Christmas surprise for many other high-street retailers, Tesco is to begin selling clothes online from this weekend, in a four week trial, further expanding its online offerings.

As Christmas, and the colder days of winter, inevitably draw closer, now is a good time to ensure that your garden bird visitors are also fully equipped for the season, and at Garden Bird Supplies you can now save 15% on the triple food-pack.