Retail Sales Up In February

The value of retail sales rose by 4.9% this year as against February 2009. The index was 114.4 compared with 112.3 in January. There was an increase of 1.9% on last month and 3.8% on the last three months. If fuel is excluded the increase was 5.3%. The volume of retail sales rose by 3.5% compared with February 2009. The index was 112.1 and 114.3 excluding fuel. The increase on last month was 2.1% and 1.6% on the previous three months. If fuel is excluded the increase in volume was 5.4% (Figures seasonally adjusted). The deflator was 1.6 and excluding fuel it was -0.1.

Looking at the data in more detail, the predominantly food stores increased their sales value by 0.9% on last year and non-food stores increased value by 8.1%. Non-specialised stores increased by 9.1%, textile, clothing and footwear increased by 6.5% and other stores by 11.1%. Household goods increased sales value by 5.4% over the year and a record 9.7% month on month. Non-store retailing increased by a record 21.2% on last year. Auto fuel was 1.5% up on last year.

The 3.5% increase in volume was mainly due to an increase in non-store retailing of 20.4%, non-food stores at 8.4% within which non-specialised and other stores increased by 9.7% and textile, clothing and footwear increased by 9.5%. Household goods increased in volume by 4.4% over the year and by 11.2 on last month, the highest monthly increase on record. These increases in volume were offset by automotive fuel which was 15.7% lower than last year. Prices of retail sales were estimated to be 1.6% higher than February 2009.

Internet retail sales average weekly value was £414m or about 8% of all retail sales, excluding fuel. The total value of retail sales in February was estimated to be £22.9bn. The estimated weekly value of retail sales in February was £5.7bn (Figures not seasonally adjusted).