The Live Wire



Press Release

SUMMER DOLDRUMS CONTINUE

6 September 2005

Retail sales in the UK in August fell 1.0% on a like-for-like basis against weak comparatives in August 2004. Like-for-like growth has now been in negative territory for six of the eight months so far this year.

Total sales rose by 2.9% due to seasonal inflation in food prices and new selling space coming on stream.

The three-month trend rate of growth improved slightly in August to -1.2% from -1.7% in July for like-for-like sales, and to 2.3% from 1.1% for total sales.

Clothing and footwear showed larger declines than in July and June. Food sales were also weaker than in June and July.

Big-ticket and housing-related items continue to be affected by consumer caution. Furniture, carpets and large electricals were hardest hit, but also in homewares and DIY, essentials were preferred to discretionary items.



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British Retail Consortium

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