UK retail sales were up 2.5% on a like-for-like basis, compared with December 2005, when sales had picked up by 2.6%, the strongest growth of 2005.
The three-month trend rate of growth was unchanged from November at 1.9% for like-for-like sales, and slowed to 4.0% from 4.3% for total sales, reflecting the continued growth of retail space.
Food sales remained strong. Both clothing and footwear picked up, helped by some colder days just before Christmas. Furniture and big-ticket homewares improved but remained below year-earlier levels. Home accessories, textiles, toiletries and cosmetics also improved.
Trade gathered strength in the final week before Christmas, helped by colder weather. Big-ticket purchases were mixed, with consumer caution meaning many were still discount-driven.
The BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor (“RSM”) is one of the key indicators of U.K. retail sales performance. The RSM provides monthly data and commentary as to what is happening to U.K. retail sales as a whole on both a total and like for like basis. Retail members of the scheme are provided with weekly analysis of trends split out into 12 categories of retail sales.
British Retail Consortium
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