UK retail sales improve despite weaker trading at clothing stores
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British retailers returned to growth last month despite clothing stores reporting their weakest trading for almost three years. Economists said this was offset by a stronger month for supermarkets in the run up to Christmas. Retail sales volumes, which measure the quantity bought, increased by 0.2% in November, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.
It comes after retailers witnessed a 0.7% decline in October. The rise in November was weaker than expected, with economists having predicted a 0.5% uplift. The ONS said this came after clothing and footwear retailers reported a sales volumes drop of 2.6% for the month, taking them down to the lowest monthly level since January 2022.
ONS senior statistician Hannah Finselbach said: “Retail sales increased slightly in November following last month’s fall. “For the first time in three months there was a boost for food store sales, particularly supermarkets. “It was also a good month for household goods retailers, most notably furniture shops.
