Rise In Essentials Spending Lifts Sep UK Retail Sales - BRC

--UK Sep Like/Like Retail Sales 1.9% y/y vs Aug 1.3%: BRC

By David Robinson

     LONDON (MNI) - Higher spending on food drove retail spending growth in

September, according to KPMG/British Retail Consortium data published Tuesday.

     In September on a like-for-like basis retail sales rose by 1.9% on the

year, up from 1.3% in August, in value terms. On a total basis sales rose 2.3%

in September on the year, just below the 2.4% recorded in the previous month.

     Growth in non-food sales was markedly weaker than in total sales. Average

non-food sales in the three months through September rose just 0.5% on the year

with food sales up 2.5% and all sales up 1.4% in the same period.

     The BRC measures sales values, with its data reflecting the acceleration in

inflation compared to a year ago.

     "Food and drink remains in high demand with shoppers - although food price

inflation continues to be a key driver of this growth," Paul Martin, Head of

Retail at KPMG UK, said.

     Clothing sales in selected areas were also robust.

     Helen Dickinson, chief executive officer of the BRC said "Spending is still

being focussed towards essential purchases; with consumers buying their winter

coats and back to school items, but shying away from big ticket items such as

furniture and delaying the renewal of key household electrical goods."

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2223; email: david.robinson@marketnews.com

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