Retail Sales Volume decreased by 4.2% in August 2017
Seasonally adjusted, the volume of retail sales decreased by 4.2% in the month of August, with an annual increase of 4.7%. If Motor Trades are excluded, there was an increase of 0.2% in the volume of retail sales in August 2017 when compared with July 2017 and there was an increase of 6.7% in the annual figure.
The sectors with the largest monthly volume increases were Pharmaceuticals Medical & Cosmetic Articles (2.4%), Hardware, Paints & Glass (2.1%) and Fuel (2.0%). The sectors with the largest month on month volume decreases were Clothing, Footwear & Textiles (-0.7%) and Books, Newspapers and Stationery (-0.7%).
There was a decrease of 0.4% in the value of retail sales in August 2017 when compared with July 2017 and there was an annual increase of 2.6% when compared with August 2016. If Motor Trades are excluded there was an increase of 0.2% on the month and 3.8% in the annual figure.
