09/06/2009 - Like-for-like sales down in May
The latest figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) show that sales during May fell by 0.8% compared with the same time last year.
The data from the BRC and KMPG survey show that despite good weather during the month, retail sales were not boosted after a month of strong sales in April proved too good to match.
The BRC said after a surprise 4.6% surge in April, which was boosted by the early Easter, like-for-like sales in May were "disappointing".
Non-food sales continued to be affected by cost-conscious shoppers, with "big ticket" items and electricals hit by the fall in demand.
Even the supposedly resistant online retail market experienced poor sales during May, with non-food, non-store sales growth slowing to its lowest level in at least seven months at 7.6%.
Helen Dickinson, head of retail at KPMG, said: "These figures may look disappointing after last month's positive results were flattered by the timing of Easter, but extremely challenging market conditions, particularly for the non-food sectors, continue."
The BRC added that May's results were impacted by a strong comparison last year, when sales rose by 1.9%.
Copyright © Press Association 2009
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