Food store sales volumes saw an 0.8% uptick in November 2023, up from an increase of 0.1% in the month before.
According to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), supermarkets reported an increase in sales volumes of 0.1% over the month, while specialist food stores saw rises of 8.5% due to earlier and increased Christmas shopping compared with a typical November.
Overall retail sales volumes are estimated to have increased by 1.3% from no growth in October, however this was mainly because of an increase in non-food store sales.
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When comparing the three months to November to the three prior, volumes fell by 0.8%.
ONS director of economic statistics Darren Morgan said November’s retail sales growth came as “heavy Black Friday discounting encouraged shoppers to spend”.
However, he explained: “With the three-month trend continuing to fall and overall sales still below pre-pandemic levels, it’s still a challenging time for retailers.
“Supermarket sales ticked up a little, but it was specialist food and drink stores that had a really strong November due to customers stocking up early for Christmas and spending more than we have traditionally seen at this time of year.”
