Post-Pandemic Retail Trends Continue to Evolve

  • Retail sales volumes increased by 3.6% in July compared to June
  • Sales are 3% above pre-pandemic levels in February 2020
  • Food store and non-store retailing remained high despite monthly contractions
  • Clothing store sales still down 25.7% from February 2020 levels
  • Online retail sales fell by 7% but remain 50.4% higher than pre-pandemic levels
  • Stronger growth in three months to July for value and volume sales
  • Eight consecutive months of decline in three-month on three-month growth rate

Retail sales volumes have shown a slight recovery in July, increasing by 3.6% compared to June, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This figure is also 3% higher than pre-pandemic levels in February 2020. Despite monthly contractions of -3.1% and -2.1% in food store sales and non-store retailing respectively, overall sales remain strong. Clothing stores have been hit the hardest, with volumes still down by 25.7% compared to February 2020 despite a 11.9% increase in July 2020. Online retail sales fell by 7% from June but are still up 50.4% compared to pre-pandemic levels. The ONS reports a stronger growth rate for the three months to July, at 5.1% and 6.1% for value and volume sales respectively, following eight consecutive months of decline in the three-month on three-month growth rate.

Factuality Level: 9
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate information from a reliable source (ONS), presents clear data on retail sales volumes and trends, and does not include any irrelevant or misleading details, exaggerations, or personal opinions.
Noise Level: 2
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about retail sales volumes and specific sectors, with clear comparisons to pre-pandemic levels and trends over time. It stays on topic and supports its claims with data from the ONS.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Retail sector
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses changes in retail sales volumes, which can impact companies’ revenues and financial markets as they reflect consumer spending trends.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: Other
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event mentioned in the text.

Reported publicly: www.retailsector.co.uk