Retail Sales volume decreased by 0.5% in October 2019
The volume of retail sales decreased 0.5% in October when compared to September on a seasonally adjusted basis and increased by 3.0% on an annual basis. When Motor Trades are excluded, the volume of retail sales decreased by 2.1% in October 2019 and rose by 3.2% when compared with October 2018.
The sectors with the largest month on month volume decreases were Other Retail Sales (-9.3%) and Fuel (-5.2%). The sectors with the largest monthly volume increases were Pharmaceuticals, Medical & Cosmetic Articles (8.1%) and Clothing, Footwear & Textiles (3.0%).
There was a decrease of 1.0% in the value of retail sales in October 2019 when compared with September 2019 and there was an annual increase of 1.4% when compared with October 2018. If Motor Trades are excluded, there was a decrease of 2.4% in the value of retail sales in the month and an increase of 0.5% in the annual figure.
