Responding to the latest ONS Retail Sales Index
figures, which showed a 0.7% year-on-year sales growth in
October (non-seasonally adjusted retail sales excluding fuel:
J3L2), Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail
Consortium, said:
“Retailers will be relieved by the improvement in
sales as they enter the final straight in the run up to
Christmas. Footfall growth on UK streets is the highest among
major EU economies, and this is clearly translating into consumer
spend. Meanwhile online sales remain well above pre-pandemic
levels as retailers ramp up their delivery and click-and-collect
services. There were big improvements in clothing and footwear
sales, including formalwear, as social calendars filled up and
the public became increasingly confident about going out.
Furthermore, with Halloween heavily curtailed by the pandemic
last year, October showed chocolates and children’s costumes
selling a treat as families made the most of the occasion.
“While retailers are putting in a gargantuan effort to ensure
that essential food and gifts are ready for Christmas, they
continue to be dogged by ongoing challenges supply chain
problems. Labour shortages throughout the supply chains – from
farms to distribution – are pushing up costs and creating some
gaps on the shelves. Nonetheless, retailers are prioritising
Christmas essentials, and many have laid out their festive
offerings a little earlier to ensure everyone has time to buy
treats and decorations before the big day. Retailers are
hopeful that demand will continue right through the golden
quarter, however, challenges remain, with higher prices looming
and many households facing rising energy bills.”
-ENDS-
All changes are year-on-year and non-seasonally adjusted.
· All retailing, Excluding
Automotive fuel, All businesses (J3L2): 0.7%
· All retailing,
Excluding Automotive fuel, Large businesses (J3L3): 2.1%
· Predominantly
Non-food Stores, All Businesses (EAIB): 5.3%
· Predominantly
Non-food Stores, Large Businesses (EAIV): 8.2%
· Internet sales, all retail
growth (KP3T): -8.4%
· Online penetration
rate for all retail (J4MC): 26.3%
