![The BRC shows muted growth across UK retail in the run-up to November
| Daily News Byte](https://dailynewsbyte.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2021/09/2015-11-13-14-56-shoppingmallblurbackgroundwithholidaylights_cropped_70.jpg)
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The BRC said that for the three months to November, UK non-food retail sales were flat at 0.0% on a total basis and fell 0.4% on a like-for-like basis. This is below the 12-month aggregate average of 3.0% growth. Non-food grew year-on-year for the month of November.
In the three months to November, in-store sales of non-food items rose 2.2% on a total basis and 1.6% on a like-for-like basis from November 2021. This is down from a 12-month growth of 26.6%.
Online non-food sales fell 0.4% in November, against a 17.9% decline in November 2021. This is above the three-month average decline of 3.1% and the 12-month decline of 12.3%.
The non-food online penetration rate fell to 46.1% in November from 48.9% at the same point last year.
Helen Dickinson OBE, Chief Executive, British Retail Consortium, said: “Black Friday discounting has boosted sales as the start of the festive shopping season. However, sales growth remained well below current inflation, suggesting that volume continued to decline compared to last year. As the weather began to turn, consumers rushed to buy warm winter items, such as coats, hot water bottles and hooded blankets.
“Despite facing huge cost pressures, retailers are doing all they can to keep prices affordable for all their customers. But, the cost of living crisis means many families may dial back their holiday plans. However, with three weeks to go, there is still plenty of time to bring home the sales this Christmas for some Christmas cheer.”
Paul Martin, head of retail at KPMG, UK, added: “Black Friday bargains saw retail sales rise by over 4% in November and were a much-needed boost both on the high street and online.
“Home appliances, footwear and furniture saw positive sales growth both in-store and online as consumers sought good deals on designer items and started preparing for Christmas gatherings at home. However, some categories such as toys, computing and baby equipment have now seen negative sales figures for several months which could not even reverse the festive growth.
“As we enter the last crucial week of the year, retailers will be hoping that consumers continue to focus on the Christmas feel-good factor. For some struggling retailers hit hard by falling consumer confidence and spending and continued rising costs, the next few weeks could be crucial for their survival. Retailers are well aware that in the current environment it is a battle to attract and retain every customer. Given the economic outlook for the coming year, consumer behavior is expected to evolve further as shoppers look to trade less and buy less, understanding and meeting consumer needs will be a mission critical task for retailers, and it is a task that will continue to become increasingly difficult. Going.”
At the end of last month, McKinsey’s State of Fashion 2023 report indicated that the global fashion industry is headed for a recession in the coming year due to supply chain pressures, the Ukraine war and rising inflation.
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