Worst retail figures for three years ...except for DIY!

According to the latest figures from the British Retail Consortium, like-for-like UK retail sales values fell 2.2% in October compared with 2007. Total sales were lower than a year ago for the first time since April 2005.

BRC director general Stephen Robertson said, "These are seriously poor numbers, especially in the run up to Christmas. For the first time in three years total retail sales fell into negative territory - further evidence of how difficult trading conditions are for retailers."

However, according to the online DIYWEEK.net the DIY sector was excluded from the general gloom. Good news for anyone supplying the retail end of the construction and DIY sector.

Whilst we all know that stagnation in the housing sector means people are no longer moving, and some larger capital projects are on hold, the demand from smaller projects is still relatively buoyant. If people aren't moving and aren't putting an extension on their home, they are at least keeping on top of the smaller jobs at home.

More:
http://www.kpmg.co.uk/industries/cm/r/rsm.cfm#
http://www.diyweek.net/news/news.asp?id=11724