BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE
OFFICE FOR NATIONAL STATISTICS
Food sales rising, ONS data reveal
Fuel sales also rose in September as panic buying increased sales
F
ood store sales volumes rose by 0.6% in September 2021 and were 3.9% above pre-coronavirus pandemic levels in February 2020, new research reveals. Data from the Office for National Statistics shows automotive fuel sales volumes rose by 2.9% in September, as panic buying caused by the driver shortage increased sales towards the end of the month, and volumes were 1.8% above their pre-pandemic February 2020 levels. Overall retail sales volumes fell by 0.2% in September, following a 0.6% fall in August, but volumes were 4.2% higher than their pre-pandemic February 2020 levels. The data shows that in-store retail sales remain subdued despite the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions in summer 2021; the proportion of retail sales online rose to 28.1% in September 2021 from 27.9% in August, substantially higher than the 19.7% in February 2020 before the pandemic. Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “Retailers will be concerned by the slump in sales, just as they begin
their preparat ions for the all-important Christmas period. Fuel shortages, wet weather, and low consumer confidence all contributed to lower consumer demand this month, with household goods, furniture and books all hit particularly hard.” Oliver Vernon-Harcourt, Head of Retail at Deloitte, said: “Consumers are keen to make up for last year’s lost Christmas celebrations and, those that can, will spend more money over
the festive period. Public awareness of supply chain disruption means some consumers have already made a start on gift shopping amid concerns around the availability of some goods. However, many retailers have anticipated this, bringing Christmas lines in early to avoid a stock nightmare before Christmas. An extended Christmas shopping period should also ease the usual demand peaks, making it more manageable for retailers.” Consumers are keen to make up for last year’s lost Christmas celebrations
WEDNESDAY 27TH OCTOBER 2021 / ISSUE 79 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 23
