Best October sales for seven years
Posted on 10 Nov 2009
Latest figures from the British Retail Consortium show UK retail sales values rose 3.8% on a like-for-like basis from October 2008, when sales had fallen 2.2%, due to turmoil in financial markets hitting consumer confidence.
On a total basis, sales rose 5.9% against a 0.1% decline in October 2008.
Food sales growth slowed further, largely reflecting lower food price inflation. Clothing and footwear showed stronger growth than in September, but against a weak October 2008.
Homewares and furniture sales also showed good gains, helped by some improvement in consumer confidence and the housing market. But the gains were against even larger declines a year ago.
Non-food non-store sales (internet, mail-order and phone sales) in October were 18.0% higher than a year ago compared with 11.9% in September. The faster growth rate in October than in September was in line with the improvement in store sales.
How was October for you?
