BRC questions reality of ONS data
- Published: 21 August 2008 10:01
- Last Updated: 22 August 2008 09:54
- Reader Responses
The Office of National Statistics reported than retail sales in the three months to July rose by 0.7%.
The ONS reported that in mainly non-food stores the sales volume rise was 1.2%.
The value of sales for predominantly non-food stores for the three month period was 2.5% higher than the same period of last year.
Based on the non-seasonally adjusted date, the total value of retail sales in July is estimated to be £20.6 billion, according to ONS.
However Stephen Robertson, director general of The British Retail Consortium, said: "Few retailers will recognise this positive picture. There is no evidence that fundamental conditions are improving for customers or retail businesses."
Robertson added: "It's hard to see what could produce the sales-growth boost ONS are reporting or their finding that smaller retailers are outperforming larger ones."
"We respect the ONS's process but this report doesn't seem to reflect the current retail reality," he said.
