Great Britain's department store sales fall 2.9% in July 2023

Online retailers suggested that a range of promotions boosted sales. Shoppers switching to online shopping because of poor weather and increased promotions led to 27.4 per cent of retail sales taking place online in July 2023, up from 26.0 per cent in June 2023. This is the highest proportion of online retail sales since February 2022 at 28.0 per cent, the Office of National Statistics (ONS) said in a press release.

Non-food stores sales volumes fell by 1.7 per cent in July 2023, following a rise of 0.6 per cent in June 2023. Automotive fuel stores sales volumes rose by 0.7 per cent in July 2023, following a fall of 0.6 per cent in June 2023. Non-store retailing sales volumes rose by 2.8 per cent in July 2023.

When compared with their pre-coronavirus (COVID-19) level in February 2020, total retail sales were 16.4 per cent higher in value terms, but volumes were 1.8 per cent lower. Total non-food stores sales volumes (the total of department, clothing, household, and other non-food stores) fell by 1.7 per cent in July 2023, following a rise of 0.6 per cent in June 2023.

Online spending values rose by 4.1 per cent in July 2023 because of strong growth in non-store retailing and other non-food stores.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NB)