Retail sales increased by 0.4% in August compared with July 2014. Growth was stronger over the year and increased by 3.9% when compared with August 2013. Growth in retail sales has increased steadily now for 17 consecutive months year on year and 18 consecutive months 3 months on 3 months. The overall picture therefore is one of growth according to the ONS.
The amount spent in retail increased by 0.2% compared with July and by 2.7% when compared with August last year. Average store prices fell by 1.2% in the August annual comparison, the largest fall since July 2009. Food prices fell by 0.1% the first annual fall since December 2004.
Online sales fell by 0.2% to 11% of overall sales. The amount spent online increased by 8.3% between August 2013 and August 2014.
