Total sales volume in the three months to December was 3.6 per cent higher than the same period a year ago – the slowest growth for more than a year, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Sales volume for predominantly non-food stores in the three months to December rose 4.4 per cent. Sales volume for textiles, clothing and footwear stores for the same period was 1 per cent higher than a year ago – the smallest growth for this sector since February 1999. Sales volume for predominantly food stores rose 0.9 per cent.
Total sales volume decreased 0.4 per cent between November and December. Sales volume for predominantly non-food stores decreased 0.9 per cent. Sales volume for non-specialist stores, including department stores, decreased 4.3 per cent – the largest decrease for this sector since February 1994. Sales volume for predominantly food stores increased 0.1 per cent.
ONS’ non-seasonally adjusted value of retail sales for the three months to December was 2.3 per cent higher than the same period a year earlier. The average weekly value of sales in December was£6.8 billion, 1.4 per cent higher than in December 2006.
Sales at predominantly food stores rose 2.4 per cent over the year, compared with no growth for predominantly non-food stores. Sales at household goods stores fell 2.1 per cent, the largest fall for this sector since March 2006.
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