In the three months to November, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail sales increased 0.5 per cent compared with the previous three months.
In the three months from September to November, the seasonally adjusted volume of sales was 1.7 per cent higher than for the same period a year earlier. Within this figure, both food and non-food stores were 0.9 per cent higher.
The ONS said the non-seasonally adjusted average weekly value of retail sales in November is estimated at£5.8 billion, 2.9 per cent higher than November 2007.
Between September and November, the value of sales for all retailing was 3 per cent higher than the same period a year earlier. Sales at food stores were 6.3 per cent higher and sales at non-food stores were 0.3 per cent lower.
The seasonally adjusted sales volume for non-specialised stores, including department stores, has fallen to its lowest level since records began in 1986. Sales volume for non-specialised stores fell 3.8 per cent for the three months to November compared with the same period a year ago. This is the fifth consecutive annual fall in sales volume in the non-specialised stores category.
The ONS also reported internet-only figures for the first time. It said the average weekly value of internet retail sales during November was about£220 million. Internet sales now represent 3.8 per cent of total retail sales, compared with 2.8 per cent in June 2008.
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