High street growth at its lowest for almost a year

Clothing retailers reported a drop in sales for the fifth consecutive month this October, according to the CBI Distributive Trades Survey 2007.

The CBI blamed shoppers' reluctance to buy autumn ranges after an unseasonably cold summer.

Across the high street, the report said 33% of retailers questioned reported a drop in year-on-year sales in the first half of October while 42% of respondents said sales were up.

The figures highlight a continuing slowdown on the high street, with the rate of sales growth the lowest for almost a year.

The CBI is optimistic about prospects for November, but expects sales to remain broadly average for the time of year.