–BRC: UK April Like-for-Like Sales -2.3% y/y; Total -0.2% y/y
–BRC UK Feb-Apr Like-for-Like Sales +1.6% y/y; Total +3.8% y/y
LONDON, (MNI) – UK retail sales fell in April in comparison to a
year ago, with comparative sales suffering as the April trading period
included only Easter Sunday and Monday this year but the whole Easter
festive period in 2009.
Like-for-like sales in April were down 2.3% on the year, with total
sales down 0.2%. This followed strong sales growth in March, when
like-for-like sales were up 4.4% on the year and total sales up 6.6%,
according to the British Retail Consortium.
BRC said base effects had hit the headline numbers, as back in
April last year like-for-like sales were up 4.6%, with Easter
festivities falling in that month, but in March in 2008 and only
partially in 2010.
Food sales and non-food sales declined in April.
The underlying trend remains one of sales growth, albeit somewhat
subdued growth.
Three-month average like-for-like sales through April were up 1.6%
on the year with total sales up 3.8% on this basis.
“Both food and non-food sales growth slipped back this April
because people had already done their Easter spending in the previous
month. The three-month average irons out the Easter distortions. It
shows total sales up 3.8% this year compared with 2.2% in the same three
months in 2009,” Stephen Robertson, Director General, British Retail
Consortium, said.
Helen Dickinson, head of retail at KPMG, said while year-on-year
comparisons were difficult due to the distorting impact of Easter
timing.
She added, however, “the general malaise of the consumer is evident
and looks likely to remain, for a while at least, given the uncertain
political and economic environment.”
On a sectoral basis, the BRC said clothing sales slowed further, it
was a slower month for most department stores while DIY and gardening
sales were boosted by the sunny weather.
–London newsroom: 4420 7862 7491; email: ukeditorial@marketnews.com
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