Retail sales ahead in June

Within the figures published today food store sales increased by 0.7 per cent and non-food stores increased by 1.6 per cent, of which the largest increase was textile, clothing and footwear stores at 4.7 per cent. Household good store sales decreased by 0.7 per cent, driven by electrical goods and hardware stores, as consumers would appear still not to want to commit to buying higher ticket products.

Total sales volume in the three months to June was 1.3 per cent higher than the same period a year ago. The largest decrease was in household goods stores at 6.2 per cent, which now has 12 consecutive periods of negative growth. Non store retailing and repair increased by 9.4 per cent.

The seasonally adjusted value of retail sales for the three months to June was 1.4 per cent higher than the same period a year earlier and June 2009 was 2.5 per cent higher than in June 2008.