Online Sales Continue To Grow - BRC

The latest BRC online retail sales monitor report says that online sales have continued to grow on last September. Non-food products grew by 13.4% on last year. Online sales accounted for 17.5% of total non-food sales.

The importance of online sales in some sectors shows as clothing and footwear would have shown a decline in September if not for the online facility. Online sales growth was slower than in August but still impressive given the strong growth of last year.

Food Price Inflation Highest For A Year

Total shop price inflation showed a marginal increase from 1.5% in July to 1.7% in August. Food inflation was the highest July 2009 when it was also 3.8%. Non-food price inflation was 0.5% from 1% in July.

Weak Growth In High Street Sales

The BRC RSM says that retail sales for August on a like-for-like basis were up 1% compared with a 0.1% fall last year and 2.8% on a total basis compared with 2.2% last year.

Growth in food sales slowed to 1.8% whearas clothing and footwear sales were stronger due to the influence of seasonal ranges and the back-to-school effect. Homewares were also up.

Internet, mail order and telephone sales increased in August to 17.8% above last year's level but last year was exceptionally weak at 8%.

High Street Sales Up In June

Retail sales increased 1.2% on a like-for-like basis on June 2009 according to the British Retail Consortium's (BRC) Retail Sales Monitor (RSM) for June 2010 and 3.4% on a total basis.

The World Cup and the hot weather helped food sales growth but clothing and footwear sales growth slowed as many people had done their shopping in May. Non-food non-store sales were 17.3%, higher than this time last year, but lower than the 21.9% in May.

Price Volatility Over For Now

The BRC-Nielsen Shop Price Index for June 2010 says shop price inflation fell to 1.5% in June 2010 from 1.8% in May. Food price inflation was 1.7% from 2.2% and non-food price inflation 1.4% from 1.6%. The Director General of the BRC said shop price volatility looks to be over for now and low stable inflation is likely for the rest of the year.

Shop Price Inflation Down To 1.8%

Shop price inflation fell to 1.8% in May from 2% in April according to the Shop Price Index (SPI) from the British Retail Consortium (BRC). Food inflation rose to 2.2% from 2% but non-food inflation fell to 1.6% from 2% in April.

A BRC spokesman said that the fall in the SPI happened despite big rises in some costs. Clothes and electricals are cheaper than last year but the rises in the price of oil are putting pressure on transport costs. Prices are being held down as customers still lack the confidence to spend. Tinned and packet food were the main causes in the rises in food inflation as falls in commodity prices, for products like coffee and wheat, still in the system are being awaited.

Sales Monitor 3% More Than Last Year

UK retail sales were 3% up on May last year according to the BRC Retail Sales Monitor. Sales were also up 0.8% on a like-for-like basis. Over the quarter food was up 3.3% on the total basis and 1% like-for-like and non-food 3.5% and 1.3% respectively. All categories indicators for the quarter were 1.2% like-for-like and 3.4% in total.

In the non-food sector, the sunny weather helped outdoor, DIY and leisure as well as footwear and clothing. Consumer uncertainty about job and income prospects meant many items struggled even with discounts and promotions. Internet, mail order and telephone sales were 21.9% higher than a year ago after 15.9% in April. Food sales were improving after April.

The Director General of BRC said the World Cup has helped to increase the sales of televisions and that should continue as it gets closer and football merchandise sales should increase. Despite the uncertainty consumer confidence has gone up since last year.

People Spending But Less Confident

The value of sales on the High Street during April fell 2.3% on a like-for-like basis and 0.2% on a total basis according to the British Retail Consortium's Retail Sales Monitor. Over the three months from February to April food sales increased 0.9%, non-food 2.1% and all categories 1.6% on a like-for-like basis. On a total basis food increased by 2.9%, non-food by 4.4% and all categories by 3.8%. Non-food non-store sales, which include the Internet, mail order and telesales, were 15% up in April on last year but used more promotions to maintain sales.

Shop Prices Up 2% In April

Shop price inflation went up to 2% in April 2010 from 1.2% in March according to the British Retail Consortium's Shop Price Index. Both food inflation and non-food inflation went up 2%. A BRC spokesperson said that even though the index is up some produce is cheaper than it was last year. It should also be remembered that last month's index was a three year low.

Easter Has A Good Effect On Sales

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.

Food Inflation Lowest For Three Years

Shop price inflation slowed to the lowest level for three years. The British Retail Consortium's (BRC) Shop Price Index (SPI) fell to 1.2% in March from 1.7% in February. Food inflation fell to 1.2% from 1.3% and non-food inflation to 1.3% from 1.9%. Food inflation is at its lowest for over three years.

Cold Weather Affected Sales In February

The value of retail sales in the UK on a like-for-like basis across all categories rose 2.2% in February compared with February 2009 when the sales were hit by the snow and cautious consumers. The total base for retail sales rose 4.5% compared with 0.1% last year.

Shoppers seemed to have stocked up with food becuase of the January snowy weather and the food index showed only a 2.4% change and non-food changed by 1.9% like-for-like in February. The overall like-for-like index was a 2.1% change. The total basis showed a 4.1% change in food sales, 4% in non-food and 4.1% over all categories.

The internet, mail order and phone sales index in February was 15.5% up on last year compared with 14.6% in January. The weather was cold and wet and that helped to increase non-food non-store sales.

Food Inflation Hits A New Low

Great news for shoopers from the British Retail Consortium's Shop Price Index tells us that inflation has fallen to 1.7% from 2.3% in January and food prices have hit a new low. Food inflation has plummeted from 2.9% to 1.3% the lowest for three years. Non-food inflation was unchanged at 1.9%. As reported on previous occasions the effects of VAT and shopper restraint may still be having an effect but the Director General of the BRC said that food prices should remain stable.

The Worst January Sales Growth For 15 Years

Retail sales got off to a bad start in 2010 with a like-for-like fall of 0.7% in January 2010 compared with the 1.1% rise in January 2009. On a total basis, January sales in 2010 reported an increase of 1.2% compared with the 3.2% of January 2009.

The weather was a factor as snow seemed to affect shoppers. Food sales went up in the first week of January while non-food sales suffered, especially discretionary items. Food sales slowed down and non-food sales improved slightly as the weather got better.

Internet, mail order and telephone sales were 14.6% higher in January 2010 than January 2009 and 26.5% in December. The snow may also have been a factor in the improvement of online sales. There was growth in the number of new online customers. Non-store retailing is the fastest growing sector but it still only accounts for 4% of total sales.

Shop Prices Up Slightly On December

Shop price inflation went up by 2.3% in January 2009 compared with 2.2% last month according to the Shop Price Index from the British Retail Consortium (BRC). Food inflation however decreased from 3.7% in December to 2.9%. Non-food inflation increased from 1.4% to 1.9% in January.

Weak post-Christmas demand and competition kept prices down in January. The VAT increase which was expected to contribute to price increases was not passed on to customers and discounts and promotions also helped.

Food inflation was kept low because of the prices of fresh foods like meat and milk but large price rises in commodities like sugar and coca may mean price increases if they continue to put pressure on food inflation.

December Sales Higher Than Expected

December retail sales rose 4.2% on a like-for-like basis compared with December 2008 when the financial crisis had a negative effect on consumer confidence. Sales also rose by 6% on a total basis as against 1.4% last year.

Food sales were their strongest since July due partly to food price inflation. Non-food stores were 26.5% higher than last year with 16.9% in November. Online sales may have been helped by bad weather preventing people getting out.

Prices Up On The High Street In December

Shop prices increased in December by 2.2%. Food inflation increased from 2.8% in November to 3.7% in December and non-food inflation was up 1.4% in December from -1.2% in November 2009.

December was the only month with the same 15% VAT rate as the previous year making an inflationary figure inevitable according to the BRC. The period covered by the survey was the 7-12 December 2009.

Hardly Any Change In Shop Prices

Shop price inflation was marginally higher in November with an increase of 0.2% after a flat October. Food inflation incrased to 2.8% in November from 2.5% in October. Non-food inflation was actually a deflation of 1.2% in November compared with a deflation of 1.3% in October. These shop prices are almost the same as last year. The GDP deflator at market prices is reported to be 2.45% for 2009-9.

Retail Build Up To Christmas

Retail sales were up on last November on a like-for-like basis 1.8% and on a total basis by 4.1%. Food sales grew more slowly again reflecting lower food price inflation, clothng and footwear slowed and homewares and furniture sales increased further. Internet, mail-order and phone sales increased by 16.9% compared to last year (BRC - Retail Sales Monitor).

Great October Retail Sales

The value of UK retail sales for October on a like-for-like basis rose 3.8% over the year from October 2008 and 5.9% on a total basis across all categories. Food sales slowed again, clothing and footwear growth increased and homewares and furniture also gained helped by consumer confidence and the housing market. These gains should be set against the larger declines of last year. Internet, mail order and phone sales increased by 18% in October compared with 11.9% in September in line with store sales.