UK investors have been on a shopping spree this year – for retailers. Since January 1, the FTSE All Share General Retail index has risen 45 per cent, outpacing the wider market by almost 52 per cent.

Even more impressive has been the performance of individual stocks. Shares in Debenhams are up 241 per cent, and DSG International, the parent company of Curry’s, 111 per cent. Marks and Spencer, Sports Direct and Carpetright have all gained more than 50 per cent, and Next 46 per cent.