The latest retail figures released by the Office for National Statistics paint a picture of UK consumers spending once more in textiles, clothing and footwear stores with a 1.3% jump on March’s value of purchases although spending still remains 6.6% lower than the corresponding month last year.
The volume measure followed a similar trend 1.3% increase in the volume sales, although as with the value measure, is a long way off April 2015s figures being 7.1% less than then.
Figure 1: Value and Volume of retail sales in textiles, clothing and footwear stores (2012=100)
Source: Office for National Statistics (value based on current prices seasonally adjusted, volume by chained volume seasonally adjusted)
Internet sales
Internet sales also saw growth in the month with weekly internet sales via textiles, clothing and footwear stores in April averaging £112.7 million, up £3 million on March and £2.2 million up on the corresponding month of 2015.
Indeed, the internet sales figures show how this way of purchasing is becoming a more and more popular way for the public to purchase fashion and textiles goods. Internet sales in April 2016 was 13% of the prortion of goods sold through textiles, clothing and footwear stores, around three percent higher as a proportion than three years ago.
Figure 2: Internet sales index for purchases through textiles clothing and footwear stores
Source: Office for National Statistics (both seasonally adjusted figures)
