UK retail sales fall in November but online shopping booms, survey shows
Overall UK retail sales dropped in November but online shopping boomed as the England-wide lockdown forced customers to change their habits, a new survey has shown.
The CBI’s monthly retail survey showed that sales fell in November year on year at a similar pace to the drop in October. The sales gauge came in at minus 25, compared to minus 23 a month earlier.
However, internet sales grew at the fastest pace since October 2018, the business group said.
The survey comes as England approaches the end of its second period of lockdown. Non-essential stores were made to close for a month from 5 November, hitting the retail sector hard during the Christmas period.
Yet there is growing evidence that the retail sector has not suffered as badly during the second wave of coronavirus as it did during April and May.
“This month’s survey gives hope that the economic impact of the autumn lockdowns should not be as severe as in the spring,” said Ben Jones, CBI principal economist.
“Both consumers and firms are adapting as best they can, borne out in this month’s strong online sales.”
UK retailers expected things to pick up in December with Christmas and the end of lockdown. They said they expected sales to be broadly flat year on year.
“For many retail sectors, particularly those with less of an online presence, conditions remain extremely challenging,” Jones said.
“Retailers will be looking to salvage what they can from a very difficult year and many will be greatly relieved by the announcement that they can re-open over the crucial Christmas trading period.”