UK: December retail sales only slightly up

According to data of the UK's Office for National Statistics:

Retail sales data for December 2009

Summary: Retail Sales December 09: When compared with November 09, only +0.3 in volume but +0.9% in value; +2.1% in sales volumes and +3.6% in sales value from December 08.


I. In value terms:

Retail sales by value were stronger in December rose by 0.9% compared with November.

The seasonally adjusted value of retail sales for December 2009 was 3.6 per cent higher than in December 2008 and the three months to December 2009 was 3.0 per cent higher than the same period a year earlier.

II. In volume terms:

1) Between November and December 2009:

Total sales volume increased by only 0.3 per cent. In other words, sales volumes did not gain a lot due to Christmas this year (but money (sales value)) spent was up 0.9 per cent).

a) Predominantly food stores sales increased by 0.3 per cent
b) Predominantly non-food stores increased by 0.1 per cent.

Within predominantly non-food stores, household goods stores increased by 0.5 per cent and other stores increased by 0.7 per cent. There were decreases for non-specialised stores at 1.0 per cent and textile, clothing and footwear stores at 0.1 per cent. Non-store retailing and repair increased by 2.8 per cent.

2) Year on year (December 2009 vs December 2008):

The volume of retail sales in December 2009 was 2.1 per cent higher than in December 2008.

a) Predominantly food stores increased by 2.8 per cent compared to the same period a year ago.
b) Predominantly non-food stores increased by 0.7 per cent.

Within predominantly non-food stores, all sectors showed growth apart from other stores which decreased by 3.0 per cent. The largest rise was textile, clothing and footwear stores which increased by 4.7 per cent, driven by clothing. Non-store retailing and repair increased by 9.4 per cent.


Plus:

Sales volume in the three months October to December increased by 0.7 per cent when compared to the previous three months. Three-monthly growth increased by 0.4 per cent for predominantly food stores while predominantly non-food stores increased by 0.5 per cent. Within predominantly non-food stores, household goods stores increased by 2.5 per cent, driven by electrical stores, and non-specialised stores increased by 0.5 per cent. Other stores decreased by 0.5 per cent and textile, clothing and footwear stores decreased by 0.1 per cent. Non-store retailing and repair increased by 5.1 per cent.

Total sales volume in the three months to December was 2.7 per cent higher than the same period a year ago. Sales volume for predominantly food stores increased by 1.8 per cent. Predominantly non-food stores increased by 2.5 per cent. Within predominantly non-food stores, the largest rises were textile, clothing and footwear stores at 7.0 per cent and non-specialised stores at 5.0 per cent. The only decrease was other stores at 2.9 per cent. Non-store retailing and repair increased by 11.1 per cent.


ONS Notes :
1. The December 2009 period covered 5 weeks from 29 November 2009 to 2 January 2010.
2. Retail sales volume is the total takings adjusted for inflation and the value of retail sales is the total actual takings.
3. All volume statistics referred to above are seasonally adjusted and chainlinked.
4. Sales refer to average weekly sales.