Retail Sales, July 2011 - Summary

Retail Sales Index Points

Source: Monthly Business Survey - Retail Sales Inquiry - Office for National Statistics

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Flat growth in July

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Year on year, all retail sales saw:

•  0.0 per cent growth in the volume of sales between July 2010 and July 2011

•  the value of sales increase by 4.3 per cent between July 2010 and July 2011

Month on month, all retail sales saw:

•  the volume of sales increase by 0.2 per cent between June 2011 and July 2011

•  the value of retail sales over the same period increase by 0.8 per cent

Concentrating on sales volumes between July 2010 and July 2011, predominantly non-food stores decreased by 1.1 per cent, the first decrease in this sector since January 2010 when it decreased by 3.7 per cent. Within predominantly non-food stores, the main downward pressure came from household goods stores which decreased by 4.1 per cent, the sixth consecutive month this sector has fallen. Upward pressure came from non-specialised stores rising by 4.0 per cent and non-store retailing which rose by 16.9 per cent.

Over the period June 2011 to July 2011 which saw sales volumes increased by 0.2 per cent, the main upward pressure came from predominantly food stores which increased by 0.7 per cent.

Total sales during July 2011, approximately 26.0 billion pounds was spent on retail goods, up from 24.9 billion pounds in the same month last year.

Source: Office for National Statistics

Background notes

1. 1. The July 2011 period covered four weeks from 3 July 2011 to 30 July 2011.

   2. Care should be taken when using monthly growth rates due to their volatility.

   3. Retail sales volume is the total takings adjusted for inflation and the value of retail sales is the total actual takings.

   4. All volume statistics referred to above are seasonally adjusted and chainlinked.

   5. Sales refer to average weekly sales.

   6. The “All Retailing” estimate includes the sale of automotive fuel

   7. You may use or re-use this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this license, visit http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

   8. These National Statistics are produced to high professional standards and released according to the arrangements approved by the UK Statistics AuthorityRetail sales volume is the total takings adjusted for inflation and the value of retail sales is the total actual takings.

2. Details of the policy governing the release of new data are available by visiting www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/assessment/code-of-practice/index.html or from the Media Relations Office email: media.relations@ons.gsi.gov.uk

   These National Statistics are produced to high professional standards and released according to the arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority.