LONDON - The U.K's struggling retailers fail to get a boost from the crucial Christmas shopping season, latest figures show, although consumers embraced online shopping with gusto.

The British Retail Consortium and KPMG survey released Tuesday says overall same-store sales increased just 0.3 per cent. But shoppers embraced cyber sales in the crucial Christmas trading period with Internet sales increasing by 18 per cent.

The BRC says shoppers were careful not to overspend on food, but picked up canapés and festive cheeses such as Stilton. Among the popular non-food items were the all-in-one-pyjamas known as "onesies," which have been made popular by celebrities including Rihanna.

David McCorquodale, head of retail at KPMG, says things will be tough for retailers for a while as consumers have to face up to credit card bills in January.

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