First estimate of retail sales, including quantity bought, store prices, average spend and internet sales, seasonally and non-seasonally adjusted.

Publications

Data

The United Kingdom Statistics Authority has designated these statistics as National Statistics, in accordance with the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 and signifying compliance with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.

Designation can be broadly interpreted to mean that the statistics:

  • meet identified user needs
  • are well explained and readily accessible
  • are produced according to sound methods
  • are managed impartially and objectively in the public interest

Once statistics have been designated as National Statistics it is a statutory requirement that the Code of Practice shall continue to be observed.

Pre-release access list for Retail sales in Great Britain: Apr 2016

The phrase 'Pre-release Access' refers to the practice whereby official statistics in their final form, and any accompanying written commentary, are made available to an eligible person in advance of their publication. The rules and principles which govern pre-release access are featured within the Pre-release Access to Official Statistics Order 2008.

Besides ONS staff, the following persons are given pre-release access by the period indicated before release.

Access granted to Organisation Period
Governor Bank of England 24 hrs
Deputy Governor Bank of England 24 hrs
Deputy Governor Bank of England 24 hrs
PS - Governor to the Bank of England Bank of England 24 hrs
Assistant PS to the Governor Bank of England 24 hrs
Governor’s Economic Assistant Bank of England 24 hrs
Governor’s Support Bank of England 24 hrs
Secretary Governor’s Office Bank of England 24 hrs
Assistant PA Governor’s Office Bank of England 24 hrs
Secretary of State BIS 24 hrs
Private Secretary to the SOS BIS 24hrs
Special advisor BIS 24 hrs
Minister for Business and Enterprise BIS 24 hrs
Private Secretary for the Minister for Business and Enterprise BIS 24hrs
Briefing preparation Economist BIS 24 hrs
Briefing clearance Economist BIS 24 hrs
Briefing clearance Statistician BIS 24 hrs
Special Advisor Cabinet Office 24 hrs
Chief of Staff Cabinet Office 24 hrs
Head of Communications Cabinet Office 24 hrs
PS - Prime Minister Downing Street 24 hrs
Parliamentary Clerk Downing Street 24 hrs
Cabinet Secretary Downing Street 24 hrs
Private Secretary to the Prime Minister Downing Street 24 hrs
Private Secretary to the Prime Minister Downing Street 24 hrs
Prime Ministers Special Advisor Downing Street 24hrs
Director of Communications Downing Street 24hrs
Chancellor HMT 24 hrs
Chief Secretary to the Treasury HMT 24 hrs
Exchequer Secretary HMT 24 hrs
Economic Secretary HMT 24 hrs
Financial Secretary HMT 24 hrs
Permanent Secretary HMT 24 hrs
Macroeconomic and Fiscal Policy Directorate HMT 24 hrs
Special Advisor HMT 24 hrs
Special Advisor HMT 24 hrs
Head of News HMT 24 hrs
CST press officer HMT 24 hrs
Treasury Briefing Official Preparing Brief HMT 24 hrs
Treasury Official Clearing Briefing HMT 24 hrs
Commercial Minister HMT 24 hrs