25/03/2010

UK Retail Sales Jump

Retail sales between January and February grew by 2.1%, it was revealed today.

It was the most significant upward trajectory since May 2008, when sales volume leaped by 2.9%.

However, the Office of National Statistics said January data has been revised down, mainly due to late returns and revisions to existing data.

Predominantly food stores decreased by 1.2% while predominantly non-food stores increased sales by 3.4%.

Within predominantly non-food stores there were increases for all sectors apart from non-specialised stores which decreased by 0.4%.

The largest rise was household goods stores at 11.2%, driven by electrical stores.

Year on year, the volume of retail sales in February was 3.5% higher than in February 2009.

Sales volume in the three months December to February decreased by 1.4% when compared to the previous three months, the Office of National Statistics said.

Total sales volume in the three months to February was 1.6% higher than the same period a year ago.

(PR)

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