November 2022 UK Retail Sales: Volumes Remain Deeply Negative but Some Sectors See Value Growth Strengthen

Executive Summary

• In November, retail sales values grew at levels identical to October’s growth. Total UK retail sales, excluding automotive fuel, grew 3.1%. Volumes experienced a 6.1% decline on a year-over-year basis in November, versus a 6.4% decline in October. 
• Many sectors continued to exhibit sales declines year over year, including discretionary good retailers such as large clothing specialists, electrical goods specialists, DIY and hardware stores and beverage and tobacco specialists.
• The primary drivers of November’s growth were grocery retailers, footwear specialists, furniture and lighting stores, health and beauty retailers, small clothing specialists and book and news stores. 
• E-commerce as a share of total retail sales marginally increased in November; e-commerce sales reached 30.2%. The sector is seeing a decline in retail sales growth on a year-over-year basis.