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Retail

Retail sales growth slows

24/04/2006

Retail sales have begun to slow since the start of the year according to new figures released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

From January to March 2006 the rate of growth slipped by 0.7 per cent in comparison to the same three-month period leading up to it.

Non-food stores were among the hardest hit, as they saw a 1.4 per cent decrease in sales.

A drop in demand for home improvement products and inhibited growth for personal electrical goods were among the key factors in the dip.

However, there was some positive news when sales were examined in relation to the previous year's figures, showing sustained if modest long-term growth.

In total, sales volumes in the three months to March 2006 were up 1.8 per cent in comparison to the same period last year.

Equally, the average weekly value of sales in March of this year was also up on 2005 figures – by 0.1 per cent to £4.5 billion.


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