Total UK retail sales grew by 3.4% last month, today’s BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor showed, with like-for-like sales up by 1.5%. But while total sales showed their best performance since Christmas, online sales were weaker than this year’s trend at 9.9%.
Stephen Robertson, director general of the British Retail Consortium, said: “Difficult has become the new norm. Customers are still cautious but less fearful than they were. The squeeze on disposable incomes has eased for some and, along with lots of discounts, left them feeling it’s time to stop postponing spending. Retailers will be hoping this modest boost strengthens as Christmas approaches.”
David McCorquodale, head of retail at KPMG, said: “After a turbulent year on the UK high street, September’s sales figures bring much needed relief for retailers. The news that like-for-like sales rebounded to achieve the highest increase seen in 2012 may give many renewed heart as they enter the most important trading period of the year. September’s surge in sales was driven primarily by customers buying winter woollies as the arrival of autumn/winter fashions heralded the end of an often wet summer and ‘back-to-school’ drove increases in children’s clothing and shoes.”
The news comes a day after the BDO September High Street Tracker showed like-for-like retail sales grew by 3.5% last month, while non-store sales grew by 32.5% during the month, with most retailers seeing double-digit growth. Most UK retail sales take place in stores, while most non-store sales take place online.
Source: Internet Retailing
