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The latest from the BRC-KPMG retail sales monitor has revealed a strong retail performance last month.
UK retail sales values increased 4.4 per cent compared like-for-like with March 2009.
However, Good Friday and Easter Saturday were included in the survey, unlike in the same period in 2009. March 2009 saw sales drop 1.2 per cent. On a total basis, sales rose 6.6 per cent against only 0.6 per cent growth in March last year, according to the BRC.
Non-food, non-store sales – made over the internet, mail-order and phone sales – were 15.9 per cent greater than a year ago, compared with 15.5 per cent in February. The British Retail Consortium said sales were mixed and frequently discount and promotion driven.
A seperate report from financial services firm Deloitte (as reported by the BBC) found that 44 retailers fell into administration in the first three months of 2010, down 65 per cent on figures from the same period in 2009. Encouragingly, the number is the lowest in a three-month period since 2006.
