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09/03/2010
February Retail Sales Grow
The was a slight positive bounce in UK high street sales last month, following a marked drop in January.
UK retail sales values rose 2.2% on a like-for-like basis from February 2009, when sales had dropped 1.8%, hit by snow and consumer caution.
On a total basis, sales rose 4.5% against only 0.1% growth in February 2009.
Food sales slowed further after shoppers had stocked up during January's snow, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) said.
Lower food inflation and consumer caution also depressed sales. Non-food recovered, having been hit by January's snow, but growth was often against larger declines a year ago.
Clothing and footwear showed stronger gains than in January and homewares and furniture returned to growth.
Non-food non-store sales - internet, mail-order and phone sales - in February were 15.5% higher than a year ago compared with 14.6% in January.
The very cold and wet weather, and shoppers receiving catalogues whose delivery had been delayed by snow, helped to boost sales.
"Despite appearances, these results are not that strong," Stephen Robertson, director general of the BRC told BBC News.
"The growth is compared with very weak figures a year ago when February saw the worst of last winter's weather and this February's performance was helped by sales postponed from January - particularly sales of non-food items such as homewares and fashion."
(PR/BmcC)
UK retail sales values rose 2.2% on a like-for-like basis from February 2009, when sales had dropped 1.8%, hit by snow and consumer caution.
On a total basis, sales rose 4.5% against only 0.1% growth in February 2009.
Food sales slowed further after shoppers had stocked up during January's snow, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) said.
Lower food inflation and consumer caution also depressed sales. Non-food recovered, having been hit by January's snow, but growth was often against larger declines a year ago.
Clothing and footwear showed stronger gains than in January and homewares and furniture returned to growth.
Non-food non-store sales - internet, mail-order and phone sales - in February were 15.5% higher than a year ago compared with 14.6% in January.
The very cold and wet weather, and shoppers receiving catalogues whose delivery had been delayed by snow, helped to boost sales.
"Despite appearances, these results are not that strong," Stephen Robertson, director general of the BRC told BBC News.
"The growth is compared with very weak figures a year ago when February saw the worst of last winter's weather and this February's performance was helped by sales postponed from January - particularly sales of non-food items such as homewares and fashion."
(PR/BmcC)
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16 March 2006
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UK retail sales growth slowed further in February, following a relatively weak January, the Office of National Statistics has reported. The ONS found that the volume of retail sales in the three months to February 2006 was 0.5% higher than in the previous three months.
Slowing growth for retail sales
UK retail sales growth slowed further in February, following a relatively weak January, the Office of National Statistics has reported. The ONS found that the volume of retail sales in the three months to February 2006 was 0.5% higher than in the previous three months.
17 February 2005
Quarterly sales flat in 'uncertain' consumer outlook
The latest figures for retail sales in the UK show that in the three months to January the seasonally adjusted index for retail sales remained flat and though the overall sales trend is on a par with the previous three months, the outlook remains uncertain.
Quarterly sales flat in 'uncertain' consumer outlook
The latest figures for retail sales in the UK show that in the three months to January the seasonally adjusted index for retail sales remained flat and though the overall sales trend is on a par with the previous three months, the outlook remains uncertain.
21 July 2005
Sluggish retail sales growth peaks in June
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics have revealed that in June the underlying rate of growth in retail sales volumes was the highest so far this year. However, the annual growth has remained the lowest for more than six years, according to data released today by the ONS.
Sluggish retail sales growth peaks in June
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics have revealed that in June the underlying rate of growth in retail sales volumes was the highest so far this year. However, the annual growth has remained the lowest for more than six years, according to data released today by the ONS.
16 June 2005
ONS reports retail sales ‘restrained’
The latest three-monthly growth in retail sales volume was the highest since November 2004, the Office of National Statistics has reported. However, the report warned that the underlying trend appeared “restrained” and annual growth in sales volume fell to the lowest level for six years.
ONS reports retail sales ‘restrained’
The latest three-monthly growth in retail sales volume was the highest since November 2004, the Office of National Statistics has reported. However, the report warned that the underlying trend appeared “restrained” and annual growth in sales volume fell to the lowest level for six years.
25 January 2007
BA flight cancellation chaos looms
The breakdown of talks with cabin crews over pay and working conditions has led to the cancellation of BA's Heathrow flights for two days next week. The airline has also cancelled all European and domestic flights from Gatwick on Tuesday January 30 and Wednesday January 31.
BA flight cancellation chaos looms
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:There will be a mixture of bright intervals and a few showers. Best of the sunny spells will be near the North Coast. Feeling on the cool side. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:Showers will gradually die out during the evening. A cold night with long clear spells leading to a touch of frost in places. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
