British Retail Consortium (BRC) August retail like-for-like sales: +1.3% y/y

  • expected +0.3%
  • prior was -0.3%

On a total basis, sales were up 2.7%, against a 3.6% rise in August 2013. This is the best performance since January, excluding Easter distortions.

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Helen Dickinson, Director General, British Retail Consortium, said:

  • “August has recorded the strongest growth in retail sales since January this year, excluding Easter distortions, accelerating to 2.7 per cent.
  • This was driven in the main by the best growth of clothing and footwear since December 2011, indicating a higher level of consumer confidence in the economy.
  • Furniture sales also did well as the strength of the housing market continues although not as well as in July.

    The strength of the economy is not yet consistent across all areas of the country

David McCorquodale, Head of Retail, KPMG, said:

  • “However, not all sectors are seeing their sales grow.
  • “With autumn drawing in, the countdown to Christmas has now begun. This will be a true bellwether of consumer confidence. If shoppers feel secure enough in the future to spend, then retailers could be in for an enjoyable Christmas this year.”