Growth in retail sales volumes slowed in the year to April but is forecast to pick up again next month, according to the latest CBI Distributive Trades Survey, which also showed orders in the 122 firms surveyed are predicted to rise strongly next month. Most retail sub-sectors reported rising sales volumes with clothing, furniture and chemists reporting solid sales growth and the rise in online shopping exceeded expectations up to April.
Barry Williams, CBI DTS chairman and Asda’s CCO said: “With shopping habits changing so dramatically in the last few years underlying consumer confidence is hard to read, but both retailers and wholesalers are optimistic there will be a spring in their customers’ steps, and therefore their sales, in the near future.”
