January Better On High Street Sales

The value of retail sales in January was 8.2% up than January 2010 and the volume was up 5.3%.

In predominantly food stores the value of sales was up 2.7% but the volume was down 2.3%. In predominantly non-food stores the value of sales was 9.1% higher than the same month in 2009 and volume was 9.5% higher over the same period. Fuel sales were up 21.6% in value but only 6% in volume. Non-store retailing was up 21.3% in value and 22.1% in volume.

The prices of retail sales were estimated to have been 2.7% higher than January 2010. The value of Internet sales in January 2011 was estimated to have been £523m or 10% of total retail sales.

Two factors affecting the pattern of retail sales were the bad weather conditions and the increase in VAT.