UK car sales have slumped to the lowest level since 1992.

New data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) revealed the biggest slump in new cars since the second world war – despite the rise in electric cars.

Sales dropped by 29% to 1.63m. The main factor in the decline was the first lockdown where car showrooms were forced to close.

Mike Hawes, the chief executive of SMMT, said: “2020 will be seen as a ‘lost year’ for Automotive, with the sector under pandemic-enforced shutdown for much of the year and uncertainty over future trading conditions taking their toll. However, with the rollout of vaccines and clarity over our new relationship with the EU, we must make 2021 a year of recovery. With manufacturers bringing record numbers of electrified vehicles to market over the coming months, we will work with government to encourage drivers to make the switch, while promoting investment in our globally-renowned manufacturing base – recharging the market, industry and economy.”

Sales in electric cars have almost trebled this year whilst sales of petrol and diesel cars have plunged. Demand for battery electric vehicles increased by 185.9% to 108,205 units. Sales of plug-in hybrids increased by 91.2% to 66,877.

The SMMT explained for the continuing demand for battery and hybrid vehicles: “Market share for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) continued to grow significantly, up 122.4% and 76.9% respectively.

“BEVs recorded their third highest ever monthly share of registrations at 9.1%, while PHEV share increased to 6.8% – a combined total of more than 18,000 new zero-emission capable cars joining Britain’s roads.”

Boris Johnson said in November that new cars and vans powered only by petrol and diesel will not be sold in the UK from 2030.

Norway has become the first country in the world where the sale of electric cars has overtaken those powered by petrol, diesel and hybrid engines.

Informa shares rose on Wednesday as the group shared an update.

Profits at the events group plunged over 70% in 2020 and profits are expected to fall from last year’s £933m down to somewhere between £250 and £270m.

In 2019, the group posted a revenue of £2.9bn. This is expected to fall to £1.6bn in 2020.

The group remains positive for 2021 and the return of events. It has resumed some events in mainland China and Asia and is on track to hit its target of £600m in cost savings by the end of the year.

“(2021) is likely to be a year of return for physical events, rather than full rebound and recovery,” said the company in a statement.

Chief executive, Stephen A. Carter, commented: “The Informa group enters 2021 with an intention to use the progressive return from Covid-19 to deepen our use of digital and data services, thereby ensuring our products and brands remain relevant in a post-pandemic world.

“The continued strength and growth of our subscription businesses and our prior decision to extend the physical Events Postponement Programme should serve us well as markets gradually open up and customer confidence recovers in the latter half of 2021. Equally important, will be our continued commitment to strengthening our digital and data capabilities.”

Informa shares are trading +4.05% at 559.80 (1100GMT).

Greggs has said that it is expecting its first annual loss since 1984.

As the pandemic has hit sales, revenues and closed stores, the group has said that it is forecasting a £15m loss for 2020. This is compared to the £108.3m profits made in 2019.

Sales have plunged by £300m and for the 53 weeks to 2 January reported a 30% decline in sales compared to the previous year.

Greggs has cut 820 jobs amid the Coronavirus crisis.

Since the pandemic, the group has been working to offer a delivery service alongside Just Eat, however, delivery sales in the fourth quarter were just 5.5% of what is normally sold in-store. Greggs has also partnered with Iceland to offer goods to bake at home.

Greggs’ chief executive Roger Whiteside commented: “With customers spending more time at home we have successfully developed our partnership with Just Eat to offer delivery services and have also seen strong sales through our longstanding partnership with Iceland, offering our products for home baking.

“We have resumed opening new shops where we see good opportunities, with those sites accessed by car performing particularly well. In light of the recent Government announcements, significant uncertainties remain in the near-term.

“We have taken action to position Greggs to withstand further short-term shocks and are optimistic about our prospects for growth once social restrictions are lifted. I want to thank everyone who has supported Greggs through 2020,” he added.

Ross Hindle, an analyst at the research firm Third Bridge said that Greggs has “cooked up a good fourth-quarter trading performance driven by a local town store footprint, keeping stores open during the second lockdown, drive-through capabilities, plus a big push into delivery and collect.”

Greggs shares (LON: GRG) are trading 8.03% higher at 1,923.00. In the year-to-date, shares in the group have fallen from highs of 2,550.00.

Aldi reported a 10.6% rise in year-on-year sales in the four weeks to 24 December.

As the UK faced lockdown restrictions, supermarkets saw a growth in sales as more people spent time at home over the festive season.

Aldi is the UK’s fifth largest supermarket group. It reported a strong rise in alcohol sales and sold 4.5m bottles of champagne, sparkling wine and prosecco.

Giles Hurley, the chief executive, said: “We had a record Christmas with unprecedented demand for our award-winning products as customers pushed the boat out more than ever before.”

Aldi has in the process of introducing a delivery service over the lockdown period and aims to increase its number of stores from 900 to 1,200 by 2025. However, the group lost market share with sales up 6.3% as it lost out to supermarkets that are currently offering delivery.

In the four weeks to 27 December, consumers spent £11.7bn on groceries. In the three months to 27 December, grocery sales surged by 11.4%.

Fraser McKevitt, the head of retail at Kantar, said: “December is always an incredibly busy time for supermarkets, but take-home grocery shopping is usually supplemented by celebrations in restaurants, pubs and bars – with £4bn spent on food and drink, excluding alcohol, out of the home during the normal festive month. This year, almost all those meals were eaten at home and retailers stepped up monumentally to meet the surge in demand.”

Like Aldi, Morrisons also posted a rise in sales. Shares (LON: MRW) opened higher on Tuesday after the group posted an 8.1% rise in like-for-like sales in the 22 weeks to the 3 January.

Chief executive David Potts said: “The pandemic has had a severe effect on people and communities around Britain for nine months now but it has been especially hard at Christmas time.

“I’m very pleased with the way the Morrisons team has helped our customers across the nation enjoy their Christmas in the best way they could — with safe shopping, great service and outstanding stores even in the most difficult circumstances.”

Paperchase is on the brink of administration as the majority of stores were forced to close over the Christmas period.

The retailer, which has 127 stores and 1,500 employees, has filed a notice to appoint administrators from PwC. Whilst the group said that it had strong online sales, it was not “immune” to store closures over lockdown.

Normally 40% of sales come from trading in November and December.

Paperchase underwent a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) in March 2019 when it tried to cut costs.

A spokesman said: “The cumulative effects of lockdown 1.0, lockdown 2.0 – at the start of the Christmas shopping period – and now the current restrictions have put unbearable strain on retail businesses across the country.

“Paperchase is not immune despite our strong online trading. Out of lockdown we’ve traded well, but as the country faces further restrictions for some months to come, we have to find a sustainable future for Paperchase.

“We are working hard to find that solution and this NOI (Notice of Intent to appoint administrators) is a necessary part of this work. This is not the situation we wanted to be in. Our team has been fantastic throughout this year and we cannot thank them enough for their support.”

The news on Paperchase comes as Rishi Sunak announced new grants for businesses. The grants will be worth around £4bn and are expected to benefit over 600,000 business properties across the UK.

Sunak said: “The new strain of the virus presents us all with a huge challenge – and whilst the vaccine is being rolled out, we have needed to tighten restrictions further.

“Throughout the pandemic we’ve taken swift action to protect lives and livelihoods and today we’re announcing a further cash injection to support businesses and jobs until the Spring. This will help businesses to get through the months ahead – and crucially it will help sustain jobs, so workers can be ready to return when they are able to reopen.”

Morrisons shares (LON: MRW) opened higher on Tuesday after the group posted an 8.1% rise in like-for-like sales in the 22 weeks to the 3 January.

Including fuel, the rise in sales was 1.9%. Strong demand over the festive period saw online sales triple as sales in salmon increased by 40%, champagne sales were up 64% and mince pies sales grew by 14%.

Despite the rise in sales, Morrisons has said that profits are likely to be hit the new lockdown measures. Total Covid-related costs this year are expected to reach £280m.

Full-year profit forecast is between £420m and £440m, which remains in line with expectations despite the “extremely unpredictable current circumstances”.

Chief executive David Potts said: “The pandemic has had a severe effect on people and communities around Britain for nine months now but it has been especially hard at Christmas time.

“I’m very pleased with the way the Morrisons team has helped our customers across the nation enjoy their Christmas in the best way they could — with safe shopping, great service and outstanding stores even in the most difficult circumstances.”

Morrisons has said that it will offer its car parks to host vaccination centres. Three car parks would be hosting vaccinations this week and the supermarket will offer another 47 locations to help with the rollout.

Morrisons shares (LON: MRW) are trading -0.25% at 180.65 (1132GMT).

Next shares soared on Tuesday after the group posted a surge in online sales.

Profits from better-than-expected sales over the Christmas period, however, are likely to be offset by losses faced over the next lockdown.

In the nine weeks to 26 December, online sales were up by 36%. In-store sales within the UK tumbled by 43%. Total sales were 1.1% lower than the same period in 2019 – this is much better than the expected 8% fall that was expected by the retailer.

Analysts have said that they’re confident of Next’s performance after the strong Christmas sales.

Richard Hunter, Head of Markets at Interactive investor, said: “Next continues to wade through treacle, with further online growth being offset by another blow to its retail business. Even so, the group is continuing to navigate a difficult time with aplomb… With its famed expertise in financial management, Next is a prime example of scenario planning and tends also to lean on the side of caution.”

Next is also facing delivery disruptions due to supply chain traffic from the Far East. Chief executive, Simon Wolfson has said that stock levels are expected to “return to more normal levels by the end of March”.

“At present, many of our deliveries are running two to three weeks late and we expect this level of disruption to continue into the new year. Our stock levels are currently down,” said the retailer.

The retailer has predicted profits of £670m for the next year.

Next shares (LON: NXT) are trading +8.42% at 7,494.00.