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20/01/2012
UK Retail Sales Rise 0.6% In December
UK retail sales rose 0.6% between November and December, according to official figures on Friday.
The data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed sales were 2.6% higher than December 2010.
Retailers, including Marks and Spencer, said the slight rise was the result of marking prices down sharply in the run-up to Christmas.
According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), sales were made at the expense of margins while a "flurry" of retail failures in the first few weeks of 2012 reflected the extremely difficult underlying trading conditions.
The BRC also pointed out that the 2011 December figures were being compared against a particularly weak, snow-leaden month in 2010 and were "flattered" by the impact of last January's VAT rise.
British Retail Consortium Public Affairs Director, Jane Bevis, said: "As our own figures showed, December did provide a small boost for the retail sector. After a difficult year some shoppers relaxed their tight hold on their finances and allowed themselves to splash out on gifts and festive food and drink, aided by deep discounting. Others had cut back on spending in previous months and saved up for the season.
"However these figures are being compared with a poor, snow-hit December the previous year and the fundamental conditions which are making business difficult for retailers haven't changed. Underlying factors including low consumer confidence and falls in real disposable income mean shoppers remain reluctant to spend and are only encouraged by significant discounting. Retailers are competing hard on price and their margins are feeling the effects. For some, these difficult trading conditions have led to business failure."
(DW)
The data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed sales were 2.6% higher than December 2010.
Retailers, including Marks and Spencer, said the slight rise was the result of marking prices down sharply in the run-up to Christmas.
According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), sales were made at the expense of margins while a "flurry" of retail failures in the first few weeks of 2012 reflected the extremely difficult underlying trading conditions.
The BRC also pointed out that the 2011 December figures were being compared against a particularly weak, snow-leaden month in 2010 and were "flattered" by the impact of last January's VAT rise.
British Retail Consortium Public Affairs Director, Jane Bevis, said: "As our own figures showed, December did provide a small boost for the retail sector. After a difficult year some shoppers relaxed their tight hold on their finances and allowed themselves to splash out on gifts and festive food and drink, aided by deep discounting. Others had cut back on spending in previous months and saved up for the season.
"However these figures are being compared with a poor, snow-hit December the previous year and the fundamental conditions which are making business difficult for retailers haven't changed. Underlying factors including low consumer confidence and falls in real disposable income mean shoppers remain reluctant to spend and are only encouraged by significant discounting. Retailers are competing hard on price and their margins are feeling the effects. For some, these difficult trading conditions have led to business failure."
(DW)
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11 December 2012
Retail Traffic Strong In Run-Up To Christmas
Retail footfall results show a significant leap in shopping activity as Christmas nears. The Ipsos Retail Traffic Index (RTI) recorded an increase of 11.2% in the number of non-food shopping trips across the UK for w/c 25th November compared to the previous week.
Retail Traffic Strong In Run-Up To Christmas
Retail footfall results show a significant leap in shopping activity as Christmas nears. The Ipsos Retail Traffic Index (RTI) recorded an increase of 11.2% in the number of non-food shopping trips across the UK for w/c 25th November compared to the previous week.
18 January 2013
ONS Reveal 0.1% Fall In UK Retail Sales
Retail sales in the UK fell 0.1% in December, traditionally the busiest shopping month of the year. The new figures issued by the Office for National Statistics show the fall compared to December 2011, when sales rose a worse-than-expected 0.3% and highlight the ongoing difficulties facing the high street.
ONS Reveal 0.1% Fall In UK Retail Sales
Retail sales in the UK fell 0.1% in December, traditionally the busiest shopping month of the year. The new figures issued by the Office for National Statistics show the fall compared to December 2011, when sales rose a worse-than-expected 0.3% and highlight the ongoing difficulties facing the high street.
10 January 2012
Retail Sales Soar During Christmas Rush
UK retail sales were boosted by a pre-Christmas rush. Sales values were 2.2% higher on a like-for-like basis from December 2010, when sales had fallen 0.3%, hit by snow. On a total basis, sales were up 4.1%, against a 1.5% increase in December 2010. On both measures and excluding Easter distortions, sales performance was the best since January.
Retail Sales Soar During Christmas Rush
UK retail sales were boosted by a pre-Christmas rush. Sales values were 2.2% higher on a like-for-like basis from December 2010, when sales had fallen 0.3%, hit by snow. On a total basis, sales were up 4.1%, against a 1.5% increase in December 2010. On both measures and excluding Easter distortions, sales performance was the best since January.
22 January 2010
Slight Rise In Retail Figures
British retailers enjoyed a 0.3% growth in sales over November and December last year. The increase in sales figures was less than expected, with forecasters predicting a 1% jump. A heightened rate in price rises was blamed for the small growth. As a result, retail sales by value were stronger in December, rising by 0.9% compared with November.
Slight Rise In Retail Figures
British retailers enjoyed a 0.3% growth in sales over November and December last year. The increase in sales figures was less than expected, with forecasters predicting a 1% jump. A heightened rate in price rises was blamed for the small growth. As a result, retail sales by value were stronger in December, rising by 0.9% compared with November.
08 January 2013
Retail Sales 'Flat' Over Christmas
UK retail sales values were up 0.3% on a like-for-like basis from December 2011. On a total basis, sales were up 1.5%, against a 4.1% rise in December 2011. The discrepancy between the rate of growth for food and non-food has been narrowing in recent months to the detriment of food. Online sales were up 17.
Retail Sales 'Flat' Over Christmas
UK retail sales values were up 0.3% on a like-for-like basis from December 2011. On a total basis, sales were up 1.5%, against a 4.1% rise in December 2011. The discrepancy between the rate of growth for food and non-food has been narrowing in recent months to the detriment of food. Online sales were up 17.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
