The British Retail Consortium (BRC) Retail Sales Monitor (RSM) for March says that UK retail sales increased by 4.4% on March 2009 on a like-for-like basis. Last year they had fallen 1.2%. Easter had an effect on sales. The holiday fell during the trading period this year but last year increased sales. On a total basis the increase was 6.6%. The thre month figures show an increase on 2.1% on a like-for-like basis and 4.2% on a total basis.
Food sales increased this at least partly due to the fact that Easter buying fell in the trading period. Consumer caution seemed to have had an effect on non-food sales with only essentials and replacement in favour over discretionary items. Internet, mail order and phone sales were 15.9% higher than last year. In many cases, sales were a result of discounts.
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