Menu
18/03/2004
High street sales flat as retail sector slows
The latest monthly figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) have revealed that retail sales figures showed no change in the volume of total sales between January and February.
The flat High Street sales figures follows a period of strong growth - 1.2% between December and January.
Though sales in February were 6.5% higher than in the period last year and the headline growth rate of the Retail Sales Index has shown a third successive increase as a result of robust February sales following on from a strong January trading period.
When adjusted for inflation, the volume of retail sales showed that in the three months December to February was 1.9% higher than in the previous three months - the highest three-monthly growth since June 2002.
Increases in sales volumes for food retailers continued to lag behind those for non-food stores. In the latest three months compared with the previous three months, sales grew by 1.2% for food stores and by 2.3% for non-food stores, with the highest growth being for household goods and other non-food stores.
Mail order and internet companies are reported as the main drivers of sales in the non-store retail and repair sector which is showing an 8.2% increase in sales volume compared to February last year. This is the highest annual increase for this sector since December 2002.
Retailers' takings averaged £4.3 billion per week during February, 5.3%, about £200 million, higher than the same month in 2003.
However, the ONS noted that this represents the lowest year-on-year growth since 1943.
(SP)
The flat High Street sales figures follows a period of strong growth - 1.2% between December and January.
Though sales in February were 6.5% higher than in the period last year and the headline growth rate of the Retail Sales Index has shown a third successive increase as a result of robust February sales following on from a strong January trading period.
When adjusted for inflation, the volume of retail sales showed that in the three months December to February was 1.9% higher than in the previous three months - the highest three-monthly growth since June 2002.
Increases in sales volumes for food retailers continued to lag behind those for non-food stores. In the latest three months compared with the previous three months, sales grew by 1.2% for food stores and by 2.3% for non-food stores, with the highest growth being for household goods and other non-food stores.
Mail order and internet companies are reported as the main drivers of sales in the non-store retail and repair sector which is showing an 8.2% increase in sales volume compared to February last year. This is the highest annual increase for this sector since December 2002.
Retailers' takings averaged £4.3 billion per week during February, 5.3%, about £200 million, higher than the same month in 2003.
However, the ONS noted that this represents the lowest year-on-year growth since 1943.
(SP)
Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 November 2004
CBI urge interest rate freeze following under par retail sales
High street spending lifted in October but overall autumn sales have disappointed retailers, according to the CBI's latest monthly survey.
CBI urge interest rate freeze following under par retail sales
High street spending lifted in October but overall autumn sales have disappointed retailers, according to the CBI's latest monthly survey.
02 April 2002
CBI survey reveals shop sales remain strong
Retail sales remained strong in March but the annual rate of increase has edged down from the peaks over Christmas and the New Year, according to the CBI's latest monthly distributive trades survey. The survey, released on Tuesday April 2, was conducted between 5 and 20 March 2002 with 268 retail outlets taking part.
CBI survey reveals shop sales remain strong
Retail sales remained strong in March but the annual rate of increase has edged down from the peaks over Christmas and the New Year, according to the CBI's latest monthly distributive trades survey. The survey, released on Tuesday April 2, was conducted between 5 and 20 March 2002 with 268 retail outlets taking part.
16 February 2006
Retail sales slow in January
The underlying rate of retail sales growth slowed in January compared with that seen towards the end of 2005. Analysis of monthly figures by the Office for National Statistics showed that the total sales volume decreased by 1.3% between December 2005 and January 2006, the first month-on-month fall since July 2005.
Retail sales slow in January
The underlying rate of retail sales growth slowed in January compared with that seen towards the end of 2005. Analysis of monthly figures by the Office for National Statistics showed that the total sales volume decreased by 1.3% between December 2005 and January 2006, the first month-on-month fall since July 2005.
15 November 2001
UK retail sales fall in October
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that UK retail sales fell by 0.1 per cent in October. Despite the fall in high street sales in October the ONS said the underlying growth rate remains healthy.
UK retail sales fall in October
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that UK retail sales fell by 0.1 per cent in October. Despite the fall in high street sales in October the ONS said the underlying growth rate remains healthy.
12 September 2001
New pay monthly offer from One 2 One
Northern Ireland mobile phone users with One 2 One are set to benefit from a restructuring of the phone network’s pay monthly offer. The new changes include the launch of Everyone 100, the first price plan from One 2 One to enable customers to call any UK network for free from their monthly call allowance.
New pay monthly offer from One 2 One
Northern Ireland mobile phone users with One 2 One are set to benefit from a restructuring of the phone network’s pay monthly offer. The new changes include the launch of Everyone 100, the first price plan from One 2 One to enable customers to call any UK network for free from their monthly call allowance.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
