UK retail sales rise 0.4% in November

UK retail sales rise 0.4% in NovemberAccording to the British Retail Consortium and accountancy firm KPMG, the like for like tail sales in the UK increased 0.4 per cent in the month of November compared to the same month of the previous year.

Experts say that the increase if not significant because it is against a lower base. The retail sales in November 2011 had experienced a shock 1.6 per cent fall. It is believed that the mid-session discounts boosted growth in sales. The BRC has warned that sales slowed over the course of the month.

Stephen Robertson, director-general of the BRC said, "Overall, the emphasis continued to be on value with consumers looking at lower priced gifts. The same caution hit online sales, which delivered their third worst performance of the year. With consumers conscious that there will be a full shopping weekend immediately before Christmas, retailers are holding their nerve and counting on a last minute rush in the crucial final weeks."

The Dixons Retail Group has said that it has recorded an increase of 3 per cent in like-for-like sales during the six months till 13 October, 2012. Group sales were recorded at 3.29 billion pounds.