December 2011 retail sales figures - volumes increased by 2.6%

In December 2011, all retail sales volumes increased by 2.6 per cent and the value increased by 6.2 per cent compared to December 2010.

Compared to November 2011, sales volumes increased by 0.6 per cent and the value increased by 0.8 per cent.

Sales volumes were driven by predominantly automotive fuel and textile, clothing and footwear stores increasing 11.2 per cent and 6.3 per cent respectively from December 2010, which was impacted on by harsh winter weather.

Offsetting the growth in sales volumes were household goods stores and other stores which decreased 3.6 per cent and 1.9 per cent respectively.

The year on year implied price deflator continued to slow in December 2011 to 2.4 per cent from its peak at 5.2 per cent in August 2011.

Household goods stores sales volume decreased 3.6 per cent from December 2010. Sales values decreased 0.9 per cent over the same period. Average prices switched to deflation of 1.2 per cent from price inflation in November 2011 of 0.1 per cent.

In December 2011 an estimated £3.4 billion was spent in this sector.

Non-specialised stores sales volume increased 3.4 per cent and sales values increased 2.9 per cent over the year to December 2011. Average prices were estimated to have switched to price deflation of 0.6 per cent in December 2011 from price inflation of 0.3 per cent in November 2011.

In December 2011 an estimated £4.3 billion was spent in this sector.

Source : ONS
www.ons.gov.uk/ons/dcp171778_250868.pdf