Today’s release, by Office for National Statistics [PDF], of the first estimate retail sales statistics for August, showed that:

• Seasonally adjusted volume of retail sales in August 2009 was unchanged on July 2009 but rose by 2.1% compared with August 2008, of which:
  • Predominantly food stores increased by 3.3% compared to the same period a year ago.
  • Predominantly non-food stores increased by 0.2 per cent, comprising:
    • Non-specialised stores increased by 4.2%
    • Textiles, clothing and footwear stores increased by 4.2%
    • Household goods stores decreased by 3.9%, driven by a decrease in electrical stores.
    • Non-store retailing and repair increased by 12.4%
• The value of retail sales declined by 0.1% in August 2009 compared with July 2009 and rose by 1.6% compared with August 2008, of which:
  • Predominantly food stores rose 5.5%
  • Predominantly non-food stores declined 2.8%, comprising:
    • Other stores down 4.2%
    • Household goods stores down 3.7%
    • Textile, clothing and footwear stores down 3.2%
    • Non-specialised stores up 1.6%

This continued skewing of spending with Food Stores as opposed to Non-Food Stores, or more simplicitically Essentials as opposed to Discretionary, is symptomatic of the increased need by cash-strapped housheolds to get the most from limited budgets.

The Retail Sales Index interactive chart has been updated.

Note: The August 2009 period covered 4 weeks from 2 to 29 August. Retail sales volume is the total takings adjusted for inflation and the value of retail sales is the total actual takings. All volume statistics referred to above are seasonally adjusted and chain linked.

Related posts:

1. Property Prices Mixed as Sales Volume Increases