Total UK retail sales have fallen in consecutive months for the first time in at least 13 years, a closely-watched survey has found. Sales in November fell 0.4% from a year earlier, said the latest British Retail Consortium KPMG Retail Sales Monitor.
Following a 0.1% decline in October, it was the first drop in the annual rate over two months since the survey was first released in January 2005.
The report said retailers were now facing a "nerve-wracking Christmas".
'Food sales up'
On a like-for-like basis - which pulls out the impact of new store openings and closures - the survey found that sales in November were down 2.6%.
This was the sixth month in a row to see like-for-like sales decline.
However, total sales were up 2% in November when the figures are measured on a 12-month moving average.
The British Retail Consortium said food and drink was the only sector to see sales rise last month, lifted by continuing heavy discounting by the supermarkets.
It added that it hoped the cut in VAT from 17.5% to 15% will now help to lift sales.
"There is little doubt that Christmas will arrive late for many retailers, leaving them with a very nerve-wracking couple of weeks to come," said Helen Dickinson, head of retail at KPMG.
The furniture and floor covering sector was the worst performing last month.
Source:
BBC NEWS | Business | Retail sales 'fall still further'
Retail sales fall for consecutive month
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