February UK retail sales down

February UK retail sales values were down 0.4% on a like-for-like basis against the same month in 2010, according to the latest British Retail Consortium figures.

On a total basis, sales were 1.1% higher, against a 4.5% increase in February 2010.

Food and drink sales picked up after a weaker January but non-food sales slowed sharply and the BRC said consumers’ underlying uncertainty about jobs and incomes was evident.

Internet and mail order growth fell in February to 10.4% higher than a year ago, after a rise of 12.3% in January. It was the smallest increase since August 2009.

"February’s sales were weak. Other than the negative figures last April (caused by the year-to-year movement of Easter), this February’s 1.1% total sales growth is the poorest since May 2009 – even poorer when the impact of the VAT rise on inflation is taken into account,” said BRC director general Stephen Robertson.

"After the big boost to January’s figures from one-off factors, including a strong final burst of pre-VAT rise spending, February’s figures are a return to a more realistic picture of how things are for customers and retailers.

"There is inflation in these numbers, so volumes are lower and with people making less shopping trips, fewer retailers are benefitting from the limited spending capacity available,” said head of retail at KPMG Helen Dickinson.

“Price, but more importantly value, has become an even higher decision-making criteria. Consumers are readjusting their spending habits to reflect the reduced disposable income in their pockets and the key question for retailers is whether they have finished yet."

Lucy Shaw 14.03.2011