Retail sales rise 1.8% in August as furniture and flooring sales rebound
Retail sales growth slowed slightly in August but still recorded an increase of 1.8% on a like-for-like basis compared to the same month last year, as sales of furniture and flooring rebounded.
Figures released by the British Retail Consortium and KPMG show that total sales rose by 3.6% compared to annual growth of 3.9% in July. The 1.8% increase in like-for-like sales compares with a 2.2% year-on-year rise in July.
While sales growth was broad-based, home categories such as furniture and flooring were the best performers, rebounding from July. In contrast, food was the slowest category due to the tough comparatives during the Olympics last year.
On a weighted basis, online sales of non-food products grew 15% in August versus a year earlier to mark the category’s best performance this year.
Never Miss a Retail Update!BRC director general Helen Dickinson said: “While these figures don’t quite reach the lofty heights of what was an exceptional July, they’re keeping the good run going and are well above the 12-month average for sales growth. Taken hand in hand with a recent uptick in consumer confidence, the signs are that many of us are feeling a little more positive about the economic outlook and responding well to good deals and new autumn collections alike.”
The BRC said the strong showing for non-food sales was driven by a combination of good ranges and appealing promotions by retailers, especially in back to school offers and items for the home.
Dickinson added: “Overall, these are very encouraging figures which maintain the sense that a consumer-led recovery is tentatively taking shape.”
