Strong start for flooring in 2023
February 17, 2023
Retail sales for flooring started the year with double digit growth, bucking a downward trend in the furnishing sector as a whole.
According to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics, floorcovering retail sales in January rose month-on-month by 11.2% to £225.1m from £202.4m. However, compared to the same month last year, sales decreased by 2.6% from £231.2m.
Furniture and lighting retail sales decreased in January by 23.5%, to £1.3bn from £1.7bn in December, but compared to January 2022, sales rose 8.3% from £1.2bn.
Overall, total retail sales volume in the UK in January fell by 5.7%, while the effects of inflation meant the amount spent by consumers increased by 3.9% to £34.8bn year-on-year. On a monthly comparison, volumes were up 0.5%, with the value spent up by 0.6%.
See also: Carpet inflation pushes up again
ONS Director of Economic Statistics Darren Morgan said: “After December’s steep fall, retail sales picked up slightly in January, although the general trend remains one of decline.
“In the latest month, as prices continue to fall at the pumps, fuel sales have risen. Meanwhile, discounting helped boost sales for online retailers as well as jewellers, cosmetic stores and carpet and furnishing shops.
“However, after four months of consecutive growth, clothing store sales fell back sharply. Food store sales dipped again with consumers reporting they were selecting lower-priced goods as the increased cost of living and higher food prices continue to bite,” he said.
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