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%.

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.

Food Inflation Decreases Food Sales

The value of retail sales increased by 2.8% like-for-like from September 2008 partly due to the Bank Holidays falling in the September period this year according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) Retail Sales Monitor for September. There was a further slow down in food sales due to food inflation. Other sectors that increased were clothing and footwear and homewares and furniture sales due to an increase in consumer confidence and the housing market. Internet sales of non-food goods helped achieve a figure of 11% higher than a year ago in September and 7.9% compared with August.

The BRC Shop Price Index stayed deflationary for the second consecutive month. Shop prices fell 0.1% in September year-on-year. Food inflation increased to 2.5% from 2.3% in August. On the monthly basis the index remained flat.

Retail Recovery Falling Backwards

Retail sales rose on a total basis in August by 2.2% compared with 1.4% this time last year. Food sales continue to do well increasing slightly from the lows of July. Clothing and footwear weakened slightly. Homewares and furniture fell back to below last year's levels. Internet sales were 7.9% higher than last year.