Retail sales flat in November
Figures released by the Office for National Statistics today have revealed that retail sales volumes were flat month-on month in November while retail sales values fell 0.1%.
Year-on-year, retail sales volumes grew 0.9% in November with retail sales values rising by 1.5%.
The ONS said prices of goods sold in the retail sector increased by 0.5% compared to November 2011 with food being one of the main sources of upward pressure. The figures show that sales volumes at food stores dropped 0.1% on the month and were 0.3% weaker than in November last year.
The estimated proportion of retail sales made online in November increased by 1.4% compared with October 2012 and rose 0.5% compared to November 2011. The estimated average weekly spend online in November 2012 was £711 million compared with £658 million in November 2011.
Never Miss a Retail Update!Across all retailing an estimated £7.3 billion was spent weekly in November 2012 and in November 2011, indicating that while consumers continued to spend approximately the same amount as they did last year, this year they spent more online and less in store.
The ONS November figures cover the period 28 October 2012 to 24 November 2012.
