Retailers get post-Christmas boost - ONS RSI response

Responding to the latest ONS Retail Sales Index figures, which showed sales up 6.5% by value, and up 5.5% by volume, Ian Bendelow, Retail Sales Lead at the British Retail Consortium, said:

“Large retailers recovered ground after a weaker December, with growth of 3.1% on last year, meanwhile smaller retailers continued their winning streak with sales growth of 2.9%. The improved sales growth reflected stronger consumer sentiment in January, as well as the release of pent up demand, as many consumers held off on Christmas spending only to splurge on the January sales. The sectors which did particularly well included clothing, computing, furniture, beauty and books.”