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CHALLENGING CHRISTMAS CONFIRMED BY RETAIL FIGURES | | January 18, 2013 | | Helen Dickinson
Director General, BRC
Excluding fuel, the ONS numbers show the total value of sales (not seasonally adjusted) was up 1.8 per cent in December compared with a year ago. In November the growth rate was 2.5 per cent. This is a broadly similar trend to the BRC's own figures, released last week.
British Retail Consortium Director General, Helen Dickinson, said: "This confirms our own findings that it was a cautious Christmas for many of us. With many household budgets still feeling the squeeze and no signs of economic challenges receding any time soon, this led to a respectable rather than spectacular result during the most crucial trading period of the year.
"As with our own figures, the internet was the standout performer – our own figures would have shown subzero growth in non-food sales if it hadn't been for online's significant year on year rise.
"Even food, usually dependable at this time of year, showed a slowdown in growth. This suggests that relentlessly tough times led many to ‘trade down' to cheaper and own-label brands, but also that many economised so that they had more money to spend treating family and friends with nice presents."
Media Contacts: BRC Press Office 020 7854 8920 / 07921 605544 | |
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