LONDON, (MNI) – UK retail sales were flat in July despite warm
weather in the final week of the month, combined with the start of the
Olympics helping to boost food and drink sales.
The BRC/KPMG July data showed like-for-like sales up 0.1% on the
year and total sales up 2.0% on the year.
On a three-month basis sales rose 0.9% from the same three-month
period of 2011 and total sales rose 3.0%
The BRC said that sales were virtually flat compared with a year
ago and total growth of two per cent was still behind inflation as
consumers, dealing with squeezed budgets, prioritised their spending on
essentials.
Discretionary and big-ticket items continued to struggle with sales
growth promotion-driven, the BRC added.
Stephen Robertson, Director General, British Retail Consortium,
said that after the June wash-out, more wet weather in July continued to
stifle demand for outdoor gear.
“There was a boost for food retailers towards the end of the month
as the sunshine came out and shoppers started getting in party food and
drink ahead of the Olympics but it wasn’t a significant help,” he said.
“The brightest spot was clothing and footwear thanks to cooler
weather coinciding with autumn ranges reaching the shops. Consumers
responded enthusiastically to the chance to refresh their wardrobes with
items they could make use of straightaway. Some retailers also
benefitted from the longer Sunday opening hours brought in for the
Olympic period,” he added.
–London newsroom: +44 20 7862 7491; email: ukeditorial@marketnews.com
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