British retail sales rose by 0.3 per cent in November but were flat over the last three months, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The ONS said the increase was driven by a 3.8 per cent rise in sales of clothes, shoes and textiles.
Other figures from the ONS data include:
- Retail sales are up two per cent from November 2012
- Sales in department stores fell by 3.1 per cent
- Online spending reached a record level accounting for 11.9 per cent of all retail spending
- Annual inflation of goods in the retail industry was 0.7 per cent in November, well below total CPI inflation.
Chief economist at the British Chambers of Commerce David Kern commented on the figures:
“The positive increase in November partly offsets the sharp October fall, but month-to-month figures remain erratic, and paint a less buoyant picture than the recent good news from the labour market. That being said, the two per cent year on year increase shows a long term figure that is stronger than other areas of the economy.
“The figures are a stark reminder that the recovery is not yet secure, despite the growing optimism around the economy. The government must continue with its efforts to create an environment that supports enterprise that can create wealth and jobs, to maintain the progress of the UK recovery.”
