Warm temperatures were cited as a key factor for the drop in UK retail sales in November, particularly affecting footwear, as sales dipped for the second month in a row, according to the latest CBI figures. In terms of figures 34% of retailers saw sales fall in last month in comparison to last year, whilst only 25% saw a rise.
A healthy Christmas trading period is still expected by analysts and retailers, although doubts have been circulating forecasting a tough holiday season. Positive sales growth is still expected in December and wholesalers supplying goods for the busy Christmas period have reported the most positive sales growth for two-and-a-half years, states the CBI.
“We can only hope this forward planning makes the tills ring louder in December,” said John Longworth, executive director of Asda and chairman of the CBI’s distributive trades survey panel. Once temperatures start to fall in December, following the milder-than-usual autumn months, we should see excitement building again to Christmas.”
November saw year-on-year sales fall for both footwear & leather and clothing shops, linked to the milder weather. The balance of retailers reporting declining sales of shoes and leather goods .-91%, was the highest since April 2000 and that for clothes sales,-31%, the highest since September 2004, -43%. Overall, retailers expect the general business situation to remain stable over the next three months.
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