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: Feb 2017

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
Secretary of State BEIS 21 hrs
Minister for Climate change and Industry BEIS 21 hrs
Press Officer BEIS 21 hrs
Briefing Clearance BEIS 21 hrs
Briefing Preparation and Clearance BEIS 21 hrs
Briefing Preparation BEIS 21 hrs
Special Advisor BEIS 21 hrs
Special Advisor BEIS 21 hrs
Prime Minister Downing Street 21 hrs
Chief of Staff Downing Street 21 hrs
Chief of Staff Downing Street 21 hrs
Deputy Chief of Staff Downing Street 21 hrs
Principal Private Secretary Downing Street 21 hrs
Private Secretary Downing Street 21 hrs
Special advisor Downing Street 21 hrs
Press Officer Downing Street 21 hrs
Chancellor HM Treasury 21 hrs
Chief Secretary to the Treasury HM Treasury 21 hrs
Exchequer Secretary HM Treasury 21 hrs
Economic Secretary HM Treasury 21 hrs
Financial Secretary HM Treasury 21 hrs
Permanent Secretary HM Treasury 21 hrs
Macroeconomic and Fiscal Policy Directorate HM Treasury 21 hrs
Special Advisor HM Treasury 21 hrs
Special Advisor HM Treasury 21 hrs
Head of News HM Treasury 21 hrs
CST press officer HM Treasury 21 hrs
Treasury Briefing Official Preparing Brief HM Treasury 21 hrs
Treasury Official Clearing Briefing HM Treasury 21 hrs
Commercial Minister HM Treasury 21 hrs