High Street Slows Down In April

Retail sales values increased over the year by 0.4% to April 2012 (0.9% excluding automotive fuel). It is the slowest rate of growth since January 2010. Sales volumes fell by 1.1% over the same yearly period (0.3%% excluding automotive fuel). It is the largest fall in sales volumes since August 2011. The growth slow down was due mainly to predominantly food stores, predominantly automotive fuel stores and textile, clothing and footwear stores. Sales values in food stores grew by 0.1%, the slowest annual growth since January 1989. The fall in sales volumes in predominantly automotive fuel stores was the largest fall since February 1996. The biggest percentage of retailing went to predominantly non-food stores with 43.2%, predominantly food stores accounted for 41.7%, non-store retailing 4.9% and automotive fuel accounted for 10.2%. The total value of spending in the retail sector in April was estimated to be £25.9bn and the average weekly spend £6.5bn. Internet sales values in April were £489m, up 18.1% compared with April 2011. Internet sales are estimated to account for 8.5% of all retail sales excluding automotive fuel. Non-store retailing accounts for 60.6% of all Internet sales. Food sales has the lowest proprtion with 3.2%.