Retail Sales Growth sustained into October

Increased growth in the volume of retail sales was sustained throughout the summer of 2003 and has continued into October.

Retail sales grew by 1.5 per cent in the three months August to October compared with the previous three months.

Sales in the latest three months compared with the previous three months increased for all categories of shop with the largest increases being for department stores, household goods stores and other non-food stores.

The total retail sales volume for the three months to October was 3.7 per cent higher than a year ago. Monthly figures show an increase of 0.6 per cent between September and October.

In value terms and without seasonal adjustment, retail sales in October were 3.1 per cent higher than in October 2002.