UK retail sales were up 0.5 percent on a like-for-like basis, compared with November 2005, when sales had risen by only 0.8 percent, still affected by the July bombings in London.
The three-month trend rate of growth slowed to 1.9 percent for like-for-like sales, from 2.5 percent in October, and to 4.3 percent from 5.2 percent for total sales, reflecting the continued growth of retail space.
Food sales continued to drive overall sales. Clothing and footwear sales were hit hard by the mild weather. Furniture and big-ticket homewares remained below year-earlier levels and house textiles and smaller home accessories also slowed.
The mild weather has led to a slow start to Christmas trade, with consumers not yet in a winter mindset. Consumer pessimism also continues to affect trade in big-ticket and discretionary items.
British Retail Consortium
marketing@alchempro.com
