Member Article

UK Retail sales bouce back after harsh December

UK Retail sales bounced back in January after figures had dropped as a result of the bad weather in December.

According to the British Retail Consortium, sales values were up 2.3% on a like-for-like basis from January 2010, when sales had fallen 0.7%.

On a total basis, sales were 4.2% higher, against a 1.2% increase in January 2010.

Stephen Robertson, Director General, British Retail Consortium, said: “On the surface, this is the best sales growth since last March, but that’s not the whole story.

“Comparisons are with a feeble, snow-hit performance a year ago.

“Clearance discounts and a last chance to beat the VAT rise got people buying things like furniture and electricals in the first few days.”

According to the figures, Non-food non-store (internet, mail-order and phone) sales growth fell back in January after picking up in November and December.

Sales were 12.3% higher than a year ago, less than the 18.0% in December.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .