UK sales down four months out of five |
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| Tuesday, 12 August 2008 | |
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UK retail sales fell 0.9% on a like-for-like basis, compared with July 2007, when they had risen only 1.2%, hit by very wet weather. Sales have now been
lower than a year ago in four of the past five months, the worst since summer 2005.
According to the British Retail Consortium, changeable weather badly affected sales in July. A few sunny days together with extended clearance events helped some but underlying trade remained tough, with widespread discounting. Clothing and footwear fell further below the year-earlier level. Homewares remained well down on a year ago, despite continued discounts and promotions. Consumer confidence has weakened still further to new record lows. With increasing demands on household budgets, shoppers are very price-conscious and reluctant to spend on big-ticket items. Even heavy discounting often failed to tempt customers to buy.
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