UK retail sales up by 4.1% in August
Shoppers remain concerned about the relatively high food inflation, as fewer now believe food prices will get cheaper in the next year. | Credit: iStock
Total retail sales increased by 4.1% in August, against a growth of 1% in August 2022. This was above the three-month average growth of 3.6% and in line with the 12-month average growth of 4.1%.
None of the sales figures are adjusted for inflation.
Food sales increased 8.2% on a total basis over the three months to August. This is above the 12 month average growth of 8%. For the month of August, food was in growth year-on-year.
Non-food sales decreased 0.2% over the three months to August, below the 12-month average growth of 0.9%.
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Altogether non-food sales had their best month since February, particularly for health and beauty products as customers splurged on self-care.
Not all areas benefited. Clothing and footwear saw weaker growth as families held back spending on children's uniforms and other back-to-school goods until the last minute.
Over the three months to August, in-store non-food sales increased 1.3% since August 2022. This is below the 12-month average growth of 3.6%.
Online non-food sales decreased by 1.7% in August, against a decline of 6.1% in August last year. This was shallower than the 3-month and 12-month declines of 3.1%.
The proportion of non-food items bought online decreased to 34.1% in August from 34.7% in August 2022.
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Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said: «The sales figures reflected the improvement in consumer confidence in August, and retailers hope this general upwards trend will carry on.»
«Easing inflation will certainly be
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