ONS – Retail growth mixed across sectors
The volume of retail sales in August was 2.1 per cent higher than in August 2008.
Total sales volume in the three months to August was 2.7 per cent higher than the same period a year ago. Sales volume for predominantly food stores increased by 2.9 per cent. Predominantly non food stores increased by 1.7 per cent. Within predominantly non-food stores, there was a mixed picture. Non-specialised stores increased by 4.9 per cent and textiles, clothing and footwear stores increased by 8.8 per cent, driven by an increase in clothing stores. Other stores decreased by 1.2 per cent and household goods stores decreased by 4.8 per cent, driven by a decrease in hardware stores. Non-store retailing and repair increased by 10.7 per cent.
Sales volume in the three months June to August 2009 increased by 1.2 per cent when compared to the previous three months. Three-monthly growth increased by 1.2 per cent for predominantly food stores while predominantly non-food stores increased 1.0 per cent. Within predominantly non-food stores, all sectors showed growth apart from other stores which had no growth. The largest increase was in textile, clothing and footwear stores at 2.4 per cent, driven by an increase in clothing stores. Non-store retailing and repair increased by 2.9 per cent.
Year on year, the volume of retail sales in August was 2.1 per cent higher than in August 2008. Predominantly food stores increased by 3.3 per cent compared to the same period a year ago. This is the highest increase, along with July 2006 since January 2005, when it was 4.7 per cent. Predominantly non-food stores increased by 0.2 per cent. Within predominantly non-food stores, there was a mixed picture.Non-specialised stores increased by 4.2 per cent and textiles, clothing and footwear stores increased by 4.2 per cent. Other stores decreased by 2.4 per cent and household goods stores decreased by 3.9 per cent, driven by a decrease in electrical stores. Non-store retailing and repair increased by 12.4 per cent.
Between July and August, total sales volume had no growth. Predominantly food stores increased by 0.7 per cent. Predominantly non-food stores decreased by 0.6 per cent. Within predominantly non-food stores, all sectors showed decreases apart from household goods stores which had no growth. The largest decrease was for textile, clothing and footwear stores at 1.3 per cent, driven by a decrease in clothing stores. Non-store retailing and repair increased by 1.1 per cent.The seasonally adjusted value of retail sales for the three months to August was 2.2 per cent higher than the same period a year earlier and August 2009 was 1.6 per cent higher than in August 2008.
