Retail Sales, Great Britain - August 2023 - Value Up Volumes Down

22nd September 2023

Retail sales volumes are estimated to have risen by 0.4% in August 2023, partially recovering from a fall of 1.1% in July 2023 (revised from a fall of 1.2%).

Looking broader, sales volumes rose by 0.3% in the three months to August 2023 when compared with the previous three months.

Food stores sales volumes rose by 1.2% in August 2023, following a fall of 2.6% in July 2023 when supermarkets reported that the wet weather reduced clothing sales, and supermarket food sales also fell back.

Non-food stores sales volumes grew by 0.6% in August 2023, following a fall of 1.2% in July 2023 when poor weather reduced footfall.

Non-store retailing (predominantly online retailers) sales volumes fell by 1.3% in August 2023, following a rise of 1.9% in July 2023 when wet weather and a range of promotions boosted sales.

Automotive fuel sales volumes fell by 1.2% in August 2023, with retailers suggesting the fall was linked to a sharp increase in petrol and diesel prices.

The percentage of retail sales taking place online fell from 27.4% in July 2023 to 26.9% in August 2023.

Read the full report HERE