MNI DATA IMPACT: Lacklustre UK Retail Sales in July: BRC

     LONDON (MNI) - UK Retail Sales increased 0.3% in July, compared with an

increase of 1.6% in July last year, the latest BRC/KPMG Retail Monitor showed.

This is the weakest July since the start of the records in 1995 but shows an

improvement from record low June.

     In July, retail sales increased 0.1% on a Like-for-like basis from July

2018, when they had increased 0.5% from a year earlier.

     Food sales decreased 1% on a Like-for-like basis and 0.3% on a Total basis

in three months to July. This was below the 12-month Total average growth of

1.8%.

     Consumers spent on furniture and household appliances while spending on

food and footwear eased.

     Non-Food sales fell 2% on a Like-for-like basis and 2.1% on a Total basis

in three months to July.

     Online penetration rate in the non-food category increased to 29.8% in July

from 28.4% in July last year.

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2224; email: shaily.mittal@mni-indicators.com

--MNI London Bureau; +44-203-865-3820; email: Ian.Stannard@marketnews.com

--MNI London Bureau; +44 0203 865 3814; email: irene.prihoda@marketnews.com