Retailers point to impact of flooding on February sales
POOR retail sales in February were down to bad weather and fewer stores discounting products, according to BDO.
The firm’s high street sales tracker, which follows like-for-like performance among mid-market British stores, showed sales down by 0.9 per cent in comparison to the same month last year.
BDO suggested that flooding in the UK affected the sales performance of retailers in parts of the country, with wet weather gear helping to drive sales of non-fashion goods up 2.4 per cent over the period.
The group also added that stores were not as quick to slash prices in February this year.
“The January sales tend to condition shoppers against paying full price, but retailers have been noticeably bolder about protecting their margins this year and most have avoided continued, deep discounting,” said BDO’s national head of retail, Don Williams.