Retail sales 3.3 per cent higher than in July 2008

The volume of retail sales in July 2009 rose by 3.3 per cent compared with the same month in 2008.

Total sales volume in the three months to July was 1.6 per cent higher than the same period a year ago. Sales volume for predominantly food stores increased by 1.4 per cent, the highest increase since 2007.

Predominantly non-food stores increased by 1.0 per cent. Within predominantly non-food stores, non-specialised stores rose by 4.9 per cent and textile, clothing and footwear stores rose by 7.3 per cent, driven by clothing. Household goods stores decreased by 5.5 per cent, driven by furniture and hardware stores. Other stores fell 1.5 per cent, this is the lowest along with May 2009 and May 2003, since October 1995.

Non-store retailing and repair increased by 9.0 per cent.

Sales volume in the three months May to July 2009 increased by 1.2 per cent when compared to the previous three months. Three-monthly growth increased by 1.3 per cent for predominantly food stores while predominantly non-food stores increased by 1.1 per cent. Within predominantly non-food stores, all sectors showed growth apart from other stores, which decreased by 0.2 per cent. The largest increase was in non-specialised stores at 1.9 per cent. Non-store retailing and repair increased by 1.9 per cent.

Year on year, the volume of retail sales in July was 3.3 per cent higher than in July 2008. Predominantly food stores increased by 2.0 per cent compared to the same period a year ago. Predominantly non-food stores increased by 3.4 per cent. Within predominantly non-food stores, non-specialised stores increased by 5.6 per cent and textile, clothing and footwear stores increased by 10.3 per cent, driven by clothing.Household goods stores decreased by 1.3 per cent, driven by hardware

stores. Non-store retailing and repair increased by 12.9 per cent.

Between June and July, total sales volume increased by 0.4 per cent. Predominantly food stores decreased by 1.0 per cent. Predominantly non-food stores increased by 1.1 per cent. Within predominantly non-food stores, other stores increased by 1.1 per cent and household goods stores increased by 4.5 per cent, driven by furniture and electrical stores, this is the highest since August 2006. Non-specialised stores and textile, clothing and footwear stores both decreased by 0.4 per

cent. Non-store retailing and repair increased by 3.1 per cent. The seasonally adjusted value of retail sales for the three months to July was 1.4 per cent higher than the same period a year earlier and July 2009 was 2.6 per cent higher than in July 2008.
from The Retail Bulletin.com