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21/01/2005
Christmas sales figures 'unusually low' say ONS
UK retail sales in the UK were described as "unusually low", according to the latest Retail Sales Index (RSI) figures from the Office of National Statistics.
The volume of retail sales in the three months between October to December was only 0.3% higher than in the previous three months. This is the lowest three-monthly growth since May 2003 and the smallest fourth-quarter growth since 1998.
Food stores reported a growth of 0.6%, compared to zero growth for non-food stores. Among non-food stores, only clothing and footwear stores showed positive growth at 1.1%.
Annual comparisons showed that sales volumes in the three months to December, were up 4.7% than the same period in 2003. Clothing stores and non-store retailing represented the strongest growths with 7% and 9.2% respectively. Non-specialised stores represented the lowest growth at 1%, which was the lowest recorded rate for this sector since May 1999.
The seasonally adjusted total sales volume fell by 1% between November and December, following a 0.6% increase last month and a 0.6% decrease in October.
Non-store retailing, which includes online purchases, was the only sector that did not report a decrease on the month. Non-specialised stores and clothing stores reported the biggest fall –2.4% and –1.7% respectively. However, strong sales for internet retailers helped to boost the growth of non-store retail and repair up to 1% in December.
The unadjusted value of retail sales in December totalled £30.8 billion and average weekly sales were £6.2 billion, which was 2.9% higher than the previous year and followed annual growth of 4.1% in November.
In 2004 as a whole, the average weekly sales volume was 5.9% higher than the previous year.
Overall for the year, the total value of retail sales in 2004 was estimated at £246 billion, 4.5% higher than 2003, with average weekly sales of £4.7 billion.
(KMcA/SP)
The volume of retail sales in the three months between October to December was only 0.3% higher than in the previous three months. This is the lowest three-monthly growth since May 2003 and the smallest fourth-quarter growth since 1998.
Food stores reported a growth of 0.6%, compared to zero growth for non-food stores. Among non-food stores, only clothing and footwear stores showed positive growth at 1.1%.
Annual comparisons showed that sales volumes in the three months to December, were up 4.7% than the same period in 2003. Clothing stores and non-store retailing represented the strongest growths with 7% and 9.2% respectively. Non-specialised stores represented the lowest growth at 1%, which was the lowest recorded rate for this sector since May 1999.
The seasonally adjusted total sales volume fell by 1% between November and December, following a 0.6% increase last month and a 0.6% decrease in October.
Non-store retailing, which includes online purchases, was the only sector that did not report a decrease on the month. Non-specialised stores and clothing stores reported the biggest fall –2.4% and –1.7% respectively. However, strong sales for internet retailers helped to boost the growth of non-store retail and repair up to 1% in December.
The unadjusted value of retail sales in December totalled £30.8 billion and average weekly sales were £6.2 billion, which was 2.9% higher than the previous year and followed annual growth of 4.1% in November.
In 2004 as a whole, the average weekly sales volume was 5.9% higher than the previous year.
Overall for the year, the total value of retail sales in 2004 was estimated at £246 billion, 4.5% higher than 2003, with average weekly sales of £4.7 billion.
(KMcA/SP)
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