The largest monthly rise was for non-store retailing, at 2.9 per cent, reflecting robust sales for internet and mail order retailers. Sales at clothing stores climbed 0.7 per cent from October to November, with sales of household goods increasing 0.5 per cent.
Monthly growth in sales volume was 0.4 per cent for non-food stores, compared with a decrease of 0.2 per cent for food stores.
The total volume of sales in November was 3.2 per cent higher than last year.
Ernst & Young director of retail Tim Sleep said: 'Although November's figures are hardly surprising, they are still disappointing. The continued warm weather has made life tough for some clothing and footwear retailers.
'However, we don't agree with some commentators that it's going to be the worst Christmas on record. Most retailers have not yet been forced into widespread price-cutting - our research shows that discounting is actually slightly less widespread than this time last year. And, with Christmas falling on a Monday, retailers will also get some benefit from an extra weekend's December trading this year.'
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