Clothing sales drop in November

High street sales were flat in the year to November, disappointing retailers’ expectations for the

second consecutive month, according to the CBI.

In the CBI’s latest Quarterly Distributive Trades Survey of 129 firms, department stores, grocers and clothing shops were some of the worst hit, with clothing sales slipping after four months of solid growth.

Of those surveyed 35 percent reported that sales were up on a year ago, while 34 percent said they were down, giving a balance of 1 percent. However, the report also found that a balance of 24 percent expects sales to return to growth in December.

Department stores saw the largest slip of 28 percent drop in sales, whereas clothing decreased by 15 percent, following a growth of 10 percent last month. The wholesaling side of clothing, textiles & footwear sales performed better with a negative balance of 3 percent.

Barry Williams, Asda chief merchandising officer for food, and chair of the CBI Distributive Trades Survey Panel, said: “This is the second month in a row that retailers’ expectations for growth have been disappointed, perhaps due in part to the mild start to autumn.

“But despite challenging conditions on the high street, retailers remain optimistic for the Christmas period, and have taken on more employees in anticipation of a shopping rush that should add jingle to the tills.”

The CBI conducted the survey between October 28 and November 15 and the results feature retailers, wholesalers and motor traders.