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UK, French and German Retail Sales Data
E.U. Clothing Retail Sales in July 2011 Monthly Report
1 September 2011
Retail sales continued deteriorating in July and August in Europe, mostly due to slowing down economic growth. Clothing sales were very depressed in the UK while still rebounding in Germany, reflecting sharply different background in the two major European markets.
Retail sales continued declining in August in Europe, according to Markit Economics indicator, mostly due to weak demand in Italy and France.
Consumer spending would remain very strong in Germany while further sliding in the UK.
Latest surveys confirmed a low level in retail sales in August, on UK's domestic market.
According to the CBI's survey, retailers were more pessimistic at clothing stores after sales apparently fell to their lowest level since August 2009.
In July, clothing retail sales had increased by 3.3% in value terms, actually hiding a drop in volume terms.
Volume was down 1% from a year earlier, if aggregating textiles, clothing and footwear. Prices rose 3.5% in the meantime, resulting in a 2.7% rise in value terms.
In Germany, consumer confidence is falling over poor prospects related to the European debt crisis.
German consumers continue however ignoring their own pessimism, as unemployment rate further falls, actually.
Textile, clothing and shoe retail sales were up 4.7% in July from a year earlier.
July sales in France are not yet available, due to delays in delivering data, after summer holidays.
