UK Sales Growth Eases In December: CBI Survey

-UK CBI Dec Reported Sales Volume Balance 20% Vs 26% in Nov

By David Robinson

     LONDON (MNI) - UK retailers saw sales growth decelerate in December, the

CBI Distributive Trades Survey found.

     The reported sales volume balance in December eased to 20% from 26% in

November, while the January expected sales balance was lower still at 17%. The

CBI headline numbers are highly volatile, with a net 42% reporting higher sales

in September before plunging to -36% in October and rising back up to 26% in

November.

     Retailers' order placed on suppliers balance fell to 11% from 22% and the

expected orders balance for January was 13%, down from 22%.

     While the food and drink sector, predictably in the run-up to Christmas,

saw strong sales growth with a net 35% reported volumes balance, the durable

household goods sector had a bad month with a -27% outturn.

     The CBI noted that overall volume growth was in line with the long-run

average and that there was an almost even split between sectors that saw sales

growth up or down on the month.

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

--MNI London Bureau; +44 203-586-2226; email: jamie.satchithanantham@marketnews.com

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