Market comment 2021

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British consumers have largely stayed away from the traditional Boxing Day sales amid concern over the Omicron Covid variant, with visits to high streets, shopping centres and retail parks down more than 45% on pre-pandemic levels, according to industry figures. Fears over the virus, as well as several key retailers including John Lewis, Marks & Spencer and Next deciding to keep their stores closed, and the traditional bumper shopping day falling on a Sunday this year, all put a dampener on sales.

 Britons shy away from Boxing Day sales amid concern over Omicron variant | Retail industry | The Guardian

• Consumer sentiment another casualty of Covid..
  
• And then there is this:
  

New York’s acting state health commissioner, Dr Mary Bassett, said the “striking increase” in hospitalisations of children with Covid-19 that the state has recorded in the last three weeks showed urgent action was needed. All children older than five should be fully vaccinated, she said, while those under five should be shielded by ensuring those around them have protection through vaccination, boosters, mask-wearing, avoiding crowds and testing, Reuters reports.

 Covid live: US reports highest seven-day cases average since January; UK ‘considering door-to-door vaccinations’ | World news | The Guardian