British Retail Consortium data ("like-for-like" sales basis strips out changes in store size)
more detail (via Reuters):
- Like for like sales growth at its fastest pace so far in 2017 (excluding the April Easter holiday)
- Total sales in August was also the highest non-Easter reading of the year, rising by 2.4 percent, speeding up from an increase of 1.4 percent in July
- "August provided a welcome pick-up in retail sales across channels, with non-food returning to growth as shoppers' attentions turned to homewares, autumn clothing ranges and the new school term," BRC Chief Executive Helen Dickinson said. "However, these figures tell a less positive story about the health of consumer spending than it might seem at first glance,"
- Non-food sales remain at levels seen two years ago
- Strong food sales largely reflect rising prices, with growth in volume terms weaker than last year
