Spain retailers cheer signs of Christmas recovery

Madrid

FROM department stores to delicatessens, Spanish retailers are anticipating their best Christmas in years as shoppers gear up for a spending spree that should help extend an economic recovery and boost a struggling jobs market.

Tax cuts, low inflation and falling energy prices have helped bump up stretched family budgets this year and, with a national election due next month, the government will hope the positive effects of a Christmas splurge rub off on voters.