...As Retail Sales Fall In The South

The volume of retail sales decreased by 8.2% in November 2009 compared to November 2008. There was a monthly increase of 1.1%.

If Motor Trades were excluded, the volume of retail sales decreased by 5.4% in November 2009 compared to November 2008 and the monthly change was an increase of just 0.3%.

All sectors showed year-on-year volume declines with the most significant declines being in motor trades (down by 24.5%), sales in non-specialised stores, including supermarkets (down 2.1%), clothing, footwear and textiles (down 2.3%), bar sales (down 12.0%) and sales of household equipment (down 10.8%).

The value of retail sales decreased by 12.9% in November 2009 compared to November 2008 and there was no change in the month. If Motor Trades were excluded, the annual decrease was 10.6% and the monthly change was -0.3%.