UK retail sales increase y-o-y in January

The UK retail sales volumes rose 2% and the value of sales grew 4.4% in January 2012, compared to the same month last year, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Food stores sales volumes increased 0.9 % year-on-year (y-o-y) in January and sales values were up 4.3% over the same period.

Non-specialized stores sales volumes rose 0.3% in January, compared to year-ago month, while sales values decline 0.3% over the same period.

Textile, clothing and footwear stores sales volumes were up 0.5%, compared to January 2011. Sales values climbed 3.6% over the same period.

Household goods stores sales volume rose 1.3% from January 2011. Sales values grew 1.2% over the same period.

Other stores volumes sales were up 3.4% in the year to January 2012, the largest rise since March 2011 3.5%. Sales values also rose as the fastest rate since March 2010 at 3.3%.

Non-store retailing sales volumes jumped 13.3% from January 2011. Sales values grew 13% over the same period.

Automotive fuel stores sales volumes increased 2.8%, compared to January 2011. Sales values rose 8.5% over the same period.

In January 2012, an estimated £24.6bn was spent in the retail sector compared with £23.6bn in January 2011 and £42.1bn in December 2011.

Seasonally adjusted, retail sales were up marginally by 0.9% in January 2012 from December 2011.