Early Christmas shopping boosts retail sales in October
The Office for National Statistics has released figures showing an increase in the volume of retail sales of 3.4 per cent in the month of October, compared with the same month last year.
Compared with last month the volume of retail sales was up by 0.4 per cent. On a quarterly basis the volume of retail sales was up by 1.1 per cent on the previous quarter.
The value of retail sales was up by three per cent in October, compared with the previous October. Compared with the previous month the value of retail sales was 0.4 per cent higher.
In the three months ended October the value of retail sales was up 0.9 per cent compared with the previous quarter.
Compared with a year ago sales in predominantly food stores were up 3.9 per cent in October, while sales in predominantly non-food sales were up 0.9 per cent.
Among non-food stores the biggest increase came from non-specialised stores which saw sales rise 5.9 per cent. Textile, clothing and footwear sales increased by 4.2 per cent while household goods stores increased by 2.0 per cent. Other stores saw sales fall by 5.1 per cent.
In the non-store retailing and repair sector sales were 14.5 per cent from last year.
