Retail Sales Rise In January

Tuesday Feb 12

Retail Sales Rise In Januaryest figures reveal that sales in the Retail sector rebounds on aggressive sales

UK Sales were higher than expected in January following a disappointing Christmas trading period.  These figures however are said to be discount driven and consumer confidence is still falling.

According to the British Retail Consortium, like-for-like sales during January were ip 2.6pc, this was mainly as a result of increased food sales and heavy discounts offered by high street stores.

Clothing products were not as successful however, with their sales down again for the fourth consecutive month, even with discounting and advertising.

Homeware and furniture sales had improved slightly in January, however this is largely due to a good performance in the first week of January, which is often the case with the new year sales. Other items falling under this umbrella include flooring and heavy electrical items.

These figures reiterate that demand for retail products is low, which the director general of the BRC Stephen Robertson commented that “the figures don't mean consumer confidence is reviving yet”.