Retail Sales Volume Falls By 17.9%

The volume of retail sales (excluding price effects) decreased by 17.9% in March 2009 compared to March 2008. There was a monthly increase of 1.3%.

The large year on year retail sales decrease in March 2009 is primarily due to the large decrease in the motor trades sector.

In March 2009 motor trades decreased 46.0% on the same period last year.

If Motor Trades were excluded the volume of retail sales decreased by 8.2% in March 2009 compared to March 2008 and the monthly change was -2.2%.

The value of retail sales decreased by 21.1% in March 2009 compared to March 2008 and increased by 0.8% in the month. Again though, if Motor Trades were excluded, the annual decrease was 11.5% and the monthly change was -3.1%.

The volume of retail sales decreased by 21.6% in the first quarter of 2009 compared to first quarter of 2008. If Motor Trades are excluded there was a decrease of 7.8% in the first quarter of 2009 compared to the first quarter of 2008.

The value of retail sales decreased by 23.9% in the first quarter of 2009 compared to the first quarter of 2008. The value of retail sales excluding Motor Trades decreased by 10.3% in the first quarter 2009 compared to the first quarter of 2008.

These year on year quarterly changes are the largest on record. The volume records began in 1974. The value changes began in 1962.