High Street Building Up To Christmas

The CBI report retailers are enjoying an early build up to Christmas with the third successive month of growth in sales. The Distributive Trades survey suggests sales have grown over last year and could grow still more before the end of the month. Sales for the time of year are below seasonal norms and described as poor by some retailers.

Stock levels remain almost unchanged from November but the volume of orders rose again but at a slower rate than expected. Orders are expected to flatten in the New Year, as are sales.

The highest rates of growth were in the grocery, durable household goods, footwear and leather and furniture and carpets. Booksellers and stationers saw a reversal of their recent growth and there was a fall in sales at the chemists.

Industrial materials reported an change for the better as fourteen months of falling sales ended with a flat month. Clothing, textiles and footwear wholesalers saw their best sales growth since 2004.

There was a second month of growth for motor traders who expect that to contiue into the New Year due to the scrappage scheme. Sales for the month were said to be above average.