The year on year estimates for the volume of retail sales suggest an increase of 2.1% continuing the trend of growth seen since April 2013 according to the ONS. Non-store retailing which includes selling online, mail order, stalls and markets provided the main upward pressure for the growth. The amount spent as well as the quantity bought in non-store retailing has continued to increase since January.
The monthly comparison shows a fall in retail volumes of 0.9% in August following growth of 1.1% in July. The food sector's fall of 2.7% was the cause of the downward pressure as sales returned to normal for the time of year after a 2.7% increase in sales due to the hot weather.
In August (4 week reporting period) the amount spent in retailing was £26.9bn compared with £27.9bn in July (4 weeks) and £26bn in the four weeks of August 2012. In August 2013 for every pound spent in the retail industry 42p was spent in food stores, 41p was spent in non-food stores 6p was spent in non-store retailing ans 11p was spent on automotive fuel.
Internet sales spend in August 2013 was £579.6m on average/week, an increase of 22.5% on August last year. Internet spend accounted for 9.7% of all retail sales (excluding fuel).
