UK consumer confidence falters after Christmas splurge
Shares in Britain's Marks & Spencer and other retailers fell on Thursday, with 2 billion pounds ($2.45 billion) wiped off the sector, as concern about ebbing consumer confidence and economic weakness overshadowed healthy Christmas trading. Retailers, already facing weak consumer sentiment, are bracing for higher costs from April, when employer taxes and the minimum wage are set to rise. With inflation also forecast to tick up, retailers anticipate a tough year.