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Press Release

RSM OCTOBER 2005: SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT BUT TRADING STILL TOUGH

8 November 2005

Retail sales in the UK in October fell 0.2% on a like-for-like basis from October 2004 when sales had grown only 0.5%. Like-for-like growth has now been in negative territory for eight of the ten months so far this year.

The three-month trend rate of growth improved slightly in October to -0.7% from -1.4% in September for like-for-like sales, and to 3.2% from 2.9% for total sales.

Shoppers are still cautious and with the many promotions and discounts available on the high street, are increasingly prepared to wait for bargains and good deals before they purchase.

Clothing and footwear showed larger declines than in September due to the unseasonably mild weather. However, food sales improved.

Sales of big-ticket items continued to be depressed. Smaller items and essentials were often preferred to discretionary items in homeware and leisure.



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British Retail Consortium

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