skip to main content
  • *
  • *
Find Insight DIY on
* * *

UK DIY News

ONS reports better than expected May retail sales figures

Heavy discounting and promotions at department stores helped pull in cash-strapped consumers and push up retail sales last month, official figures show.

Retail sales volumes increased 1.4% in May, following a revised 2.4% drop in April, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. City analysts had expected a rise of around 0.8%.

The increase was driven primarily by a 6.2% surge in fuel sales, as March's fuel strike threat continued to have an impact, but there was evidence that a fall in prices at department stores also lifted volumes. Stripping out the impact of fuel, total retail sales volumes increased by 0.9%.

The rate of inflation has fallen back throughout 2012, from a 5.2% peak last September to 2.8% in May, as weak economic growth weighed on pricing power.

Total retail sales plunged in April as heavy rain hit clothing and footwear retailers.

A bright spell of sunshine later in May had a small impact on the clothing sector, the ONS said, which rebounded after a dismal April to record 3.4% growth in sales volumes.

Non-specialised stores – or department stores, such as John Lewis and House of Fraser – saw volume growth of 0.8% on the month and 11.3% when compared with May last year.

The ONS estimates that the price of goods in department stores on average have fallen 2% in the last 12 months.

Discounting and promotions were also seen in 'other' stores, a broad category including computers, books and newspapers, and toiletries and cosmetics.

Food sales had a weak month, growing just 0.2%, but the survey period ended on 26 May and did not include the final run-up to the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, which is expected to boost sales in June's survey.

Non-store retailing volumes, which include internet sales, increased 1.5% on the month.

Consumers spent £26.4bn in May compared with £26bn in the previous month.

The average weekly amount spent online is now up 22% compared with £510.9m a year ago.

Source : The Guardian
www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/jun/21/retail-sales-rise-shop-promotions?INTCMP=SRCH

21 June 2012
view more UK DIY News
*

I find the news and articles they publish really useful and enjoy reading their views and commentary on the industry. It's the only source of quality, reliable information on our major customers and it's used regularly by myself and my team.

*
Simon Fleet - Sales & Marketing Director, Thomas Dudley Ltd
Newsletters

Don't miss out on all the latest, breaking news from the DIY industry