Retailers Reporting Strong Growth

The CBI distributive trades survey reports that retailers have seen improvements in sales and increases in staffing numbers. Year on year growth in sales volumes increased for the third consecutive month but retailers considered sales to be below normal for the time of year.

September Sales Up On Last Year

The value of retail sales on Britain's High Streets increased by 5.4% in September compared with last year according to a statistical bulletin released by the ONS. Volumes also increased, by 0.6%, compared with September 2010.

The monthly figures show an increase in both value and volume of 0.8% and 0.6% respectively, but although sales value increased in the last three months compared with the previous three months, the volume of sales decreased by 0.2%.

Automotive fuel increased by 20% year on year contributing 2% to the overall retail sales percentage points while predominantly food stores sales volumes fell by 0.3% but values increased by 5.7% contributing 2.4% to overall growth. Non-store retailing (including the Internet) increased 15.6% contributing 0.8%. The estimated value of Internet retail sales was £539.4m, approximately 9.6% of total retail sales.

Retail Sales Up In August

The value and volume of retail sales both increased in August 2010 compared with August last year. The volume increased by 0.4% but the value increased by 1.9% over the same period.

In food stores sales values decreased by 0.4% while volumes increased by 3.5%. In non-food stores increased monthly sales values by 4.2% and volumes by 4.6%. The non-store retailing sector increased sales values by 14.6% on last year and volume of sales increased by 16.6%.

Within the predominantly non-food stores catoegory, non-specialised stores reported the largest rises with a 9.7% increase in sales values and a 10.8% increase in sales volumes. Textile, clothing and footwear increased sales values by 6.4% and sales volumes by 7.5%. Household goods stores decreased sales values by 1.8% and sales volumes by 1.5%. The average weekly value of Internet retail sales in August was £473 million or 8.7% of total retail sales.

Retail Sales Up 2.5%

The value of retail sales in June 2010 went up by 2.5% compared with June 2009 according to the ONS Retail Sales Index. The index stood at 116.3 compared with 116.2 in May 2010 an increase of 0.1% and 113.5 in June 2009. The volume rose by 1.3%. The index was 113.1 compared with 111.7 in June 2009 and 112.3 in May 2010 an increase of 0.7%.

In food stores the value of sales was up by 1.7% on a year ago while the volume was 0.2% lower. The value of sales rose by 3.7% in non-food stores along with an increase of 4.4% in the volume of sales. Household goods rose by 4.4% in value and 6.1% in volume, textiles, clothing and footwear increased in sales value by 3.3% and in volume by 4.2%. The non-specialised store category sales increased in value by 9.1% and volume increased by 10.3%. Non-store retailing increased sales values by 14.1% and volume by 14.8%. The figures are seasonally-adjusted.

Non-seasonally adjusted prices were estimated to have risen by 1.3% compared with June 2009. The value of fuel sales was 3.6% lower than last year but the volume was 15.9% lower. The value of Internet retail sales in June was estimated to have been £437m which equates to 7.9% of total retail sales (excluding fuel). The total value of sales in June 2010 was estimated to have been £30.9bn (non-seasonally-adjusted) and the average weekly value was £6.2bn.

Different sized retailers have a mix of experiences in terms of growth of sales value and volume. The biggest retailers with over 100 employees reported an average 3.3% increase in sales between June 2009 and June 2010. The smallest retailers, with 0-9 employees, sales fell by 0.9% over the same period. Those employing 40-69 employees experienced 51.3% growth over the year but businesses with 70-99 employees saw their sales decrease by 45.7%.

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.

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.

Eurpean Retail Trade Stable In March

In Europe, retail trade in both the euro area and the EU27 remained stable during March 2010 on February 2010 according to Eurostat. The volume of retail trade in March 2010 decreased by 0.1% on March 2009 in the euro area but increased by 0.3% in the EU27. During February 2010 retail trade volume fell 0.2% in the euro area but grew by 0.3% in the EU27.

The food drinks and tobacco sector fell by 0.2% in March 2010 compared with February 2010 in the euro area but increased by 0.3% in the EU27. The non-food sector decreased by 0.1% in euro area but increased by 0.2% in EU27. Over the year, food, drink and tobacco increased by 0.9% in the euro area and 0.6% in the EU27. The non-food sector was unchanged in the euro area but grew by 1.4% in the EU27.

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.

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.

Retailers Disappointed By Fall In Sales

The January CBI Distributive Trades Survey says that retailers were disappointed by the slight fall in sales in early January having expected a three month run of growth. The extreme weather conditions may be partly to blame for the sales figures for the usually busy New Year sales. The increase in the VAT rate may also have been an influence. Retailers expect sales in February to be about the same as last year.

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.

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.

Retailers Less Pessimistic About Future

The CBI Distributive Trades Survey shows high street sales falling for the fourth month in a row in the year to August. Running down stocks has left many businesses with a level that is just about adequate but job cuts could be heavier than in May. Most retailers reported a fall in retail sales and a further fall is predicted for September. Sales for the time of year are also reported to be weak. Retailers continue to cut their orders with their suppliers at an even faster rate than in previous months. More jobs may also go before September. Price inflation continues to rise. However, business confidence is improving with many people in business feeling less pessimistic about the general business situation than the last quarter.

Retail Sales Up

The seasonally adjusted value of retail sales rose by 2.6% compared with July 2008. Food stores were 5.2% higher while non-food stores were 0.6% lower. Non-store retailing and repair sector was 10.8% up on last year.

The volume of retail sales rose by 3.3% compared with July 2008 and 1.6% on the quarter. Food stores were up by 2% and non-food stores by 3.4%. Non-store retailing and repair was 12.9% up on last year.

Prices were 0.7% lower than July 2009 driven mainly by non-food stores. The value of Internet sales in July was £178.3m or 3.3% of total retail sales. The total of retail sales was an estimated £21.9bn and average weekly sales in July was £5.5bn. Figures from ONS.

Difficult Summer For Shops

The CBI tell us that shops are still having a bad time in the High Street as retail falls again for the third month in a row. Their forecast for August is no better. The results are mitigated by saying that the fall is no greater than the rises we saw in May and June and a lot better than the falls between July 2008 and March 2009. That's better than expected by a lot of people.

Sales volumes are down but not as much as expected. Stocks are adequate to meet demand even though they are below average for the thrid succesive month. Orders fell again and the outlook for all of these figures is more of the same in August.

When looking at the individual sectors, grocers are seeing strong growth, as are footwear and leather with its best result since August 2007. Hardware, china & DIY, and furniture & carpets are reported falls while household durables fall is slower than last year. Wholesalers sales volumes fell in the year to July. In particular it was a difficult month for industrial materials and builders' merchants wholesalers. Food and drink wholesalers however reported another month of strong growth.

Good Weather Good For Sales

Retail sales rose 1.4% on a like-for-like basis and 3.2% in total in June according to the British Retail Consortium-Nielsen Retail Sales Monitor. The good weather is said to be a contributory factor in the increase in sales, particularly food sales and outdoor goods. This time last year it was wet and cold. The uncertainty about jobs may be putting shoppers off spending on bigger items which has seen sales fall off slightly. The weather has not put people off the Internet and other non-food non-store sales which were up 16.8% on last year. The gap between like-for-like and total sales performance is narrowing reflecting the reduction in new store openings in the current environment.

Retail Sales Fall Again

The value of retail sales fell by 1.1% in May 2009 compared with May 2008. The volume of retail sales in May 2009 fell by 1.6% compared with May 2008 according to the latest ONS statistics. They warn that it is important to note that the value and volume of sales for May 2008 were unusually large.

In food stores the value was 3.9% higher than last year and the volume 1.3% lower. Non-food stores values were 6.2% lower and volumes 3% lower than last year. Against the trend, in non-food stores, non-specialised stores increased their volumes by 3%. Another sector to increase both value and volume was the non-retailing and repair sector which increased 6.6% in value and 9.8% in volume. Prices were estimated to be 0.7% higher than the same time last year. The average weekly value of Internet sales was £117.3 million or 3.3% of total sales.

Sales Values Fall

Retail sales values fell by 0.8% in the year to May on a like-for-like basis but the total showed only a 0.8% increase in total. These BRC statistics are actual values that include VAT and are taken from a sample of retailers. It is a measure of the volume of spending. It does not reflect price changes so if prices rise the volume increases by less than sales values. The values for non-food non-store sales, which includes Internet sales, reported a 7.6% change on last year. It continues to out-perform store sales but it is the weakest figure reported since the measure began. The quarterly figures show increases of 5.4% like-for-like and 6.8% in total for food sales and a 2.4% increase in total over all categories.

Retails Sales Growth Internet Sales Doing Well

Retail sales in the UK rose 6.3% over the year to April, like-for-like sales by 4.6%. It is the best sales growth for 3 years. Food increased 6.9% and 5.3% like-for-like and all categories by 2.2%. Online and catalogue sales increased by 12.5%. Like-for-like figures are measurements taken of the value of comparable sales compared to the same period a year earlier. It excludes stores that opened or closed in that year. Total sales growth figures give the value of all sales.