Mixed messages from UK High Street

Jan 6 - A string of British retailers ease fears of a collapse in consumer spending but concerns linger over the effects of rising unemployment and plunging house prices.

As collapsed variety store Woolworths closes its final 200 stores, costing 27,000 jobs and media reports suggest landmark British store group Marks & Spencer is poised to announce over 1,000 job losses, better-than-expected results from some High Street chains are clouding the retail picture.

Matt Cowan reports.