Retail Sales Growth Slowdown

Data released today by the Office of National Statistics reveals a slowdown in the growth of retail sales during the last quarter of 2007.

The seasonally adjusted index for retail sales grew by just 0.4% during the three months to December 2007 compared to the previous three month period.  Between November and December, however, the volume of sales fell by 0.4%.

A separate study released yesterday by Experian revealed that only a couple of weeks into the January sales its Retail Footfall Index had seen a week-on-week decrease of 4.4%.

What does all this really mean for the small business owner, particularly the small retailer.  Well, slowly but surely signs of a slow down are gathering.  But let’s just hope it’s just that - a slow down, not a recession. 

Here’s to some justified caution amongst small businesses and consumers during 2008.

footfall | recession | retail | sales |