In the three months to December 2018, estimates in the quantity bought in retail decreased by 0.2%, with declines across all main sectors except fuel, according to new figures from Office for National Statistics (ONS).

When compared with the previous month, the quantity bought in December 2018 decreased by 0.9%, as all sectors except food stores and fuel stores declined on the month.

Looking at annual growth rates, the whole of 2018 increased by 2.7% in the quantity bought; an annual slowdown in comparison with the peak of 4.7% experienced in 2016.

In December 2018, online retailing accounted for 20% of total retailing, with an overall growth of 13.9% when compared with the same month a year earlier.

In December 2018, estimates for both the amount spent and quantity bought increased when compared with the same period a year earlier. When compared with the same month a year earlier, the amount spent increased by 3.7% and the quantity bought increased by 3%.

Showing a different picture, December 2018 decreased by 0.9% for both the amount spent and the quantity bought when compared with the previous month. The three months to December 2018 also decreased by 0.1% in the amount spent and 0.2% in the quantity bought, when compared with the previous three months.

Responding to these statistics, Mike Cherry, National Chairman at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said, “The latest retail sales figures reflect a difficult year for the sector, and lay bare the struggles our high street firms are currently facing.

“Confidence among small retailers is plummeting, with pressure ramping up from employment costs, high rents and competition from large, exclusively online brands.

“One of the biggest burdens is the outdated business rates system, which is disproportionately hurting small firms. The new business rate discount announced at the Budget should give some relief, but to have an impact, Government and local authorities must make sure it reaches those that need it across the country.

“The Future High Streets Fund also gives an opportunity for councils to think carefully about ways to really improve their town centres. We’d encourage councils to talk to their local small businesses to get innovative ideas that will improve the public realm and create vibrant hubs at the centre of their communities.”

(sources: ONS, FSB, image: pexels)