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The festive period proved to be something of a "mixed bag" in terms of consumer spending, according to new figures.

Data from TD Waterhouse suggests people were keener to take their credit cards out and spend in some retail outlets than others.

For example, Marks & Spencer announced a 7.1 per cent drop in sales in the third quarter of 2008, while Sainsbury's declared its best Christmas ever and Tesco met its market expectations.

The latter reported "especially glowing" results from its overseas division, the organisation noted.

"When, at the end of last year we asked respondents in our annual Investor Confidence Index which company they would invest £5,000 in, Tesco was the most popular choice.

"In fact, 2008 was a bumper year for Britain's most loved supermarket," the company added.

Meanwhile, Dow Jones reports mobile phone retailer Carphone Warehouse managed to attract more customers than its competitors DSG International - which is the owner of the chains PC World and Currys.

Posted by Jack Ramsay

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Credit Cards	0% Balance Transfers	0% Purchases	APR Representative (Variable)
	Tesco ClubCard Credit Card
	9 months	15 months	16.9%
** 16.9% APR representative (variable). Based on a credit limit of 1200 and purchase rate 16.9% p.a(variable). **
	Virgin Credit Card
	20 months	3 months	16.8%
** 16.8% APR representative (variable). Based on a credit limit of 1200 and purchase rate 16.8% p.a(variable). **
	Barclaycard Platinum with BT
	22 months	3 months	17.5%
** 17.5% APR representative (variable). Based on a credit limit of 1200 and purchase rate 17.5% p.a(variable). **
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