Is planet retail set for a happy new year or a hard hangover?

Trading statements come in bunches at the beginning of January – like London buses – but after finishing their investor calls some CEOs will inevitably end up feeling like they’ve been hit by one, writes James Moore

Some retailers will report full bags, but for others January is the hardest month of the year (PA)

The iron ground and grey days of January at its worst have been all too appropriate as a backdrop for many of Britain’s retailers in recent years.

Trading statements come in bunches at the dawning of the new year: in that, they’re like London buses – but, after finishing their investor calls, some CEOs will inevitably end up feeling like they’ve been hit by one.

They’ll be struck by the dawning realisation that their P45 won’t be long in coming, and that they’ll be spending more time than they’d like in the company of headhunters who are only offering non-executive posts, which don't come with bonus packages.