Construction and furniture sales, but more positive than other sectors

10 January 2009

In a year of hard trade DIY products may have faired poorly, but still better than in many other areas, according to the British Retail Consortium.

The figures for December showed DIY, garden and hardware sales increased by 1.4% over the previous year, while furniture and flooring sales increased by 2%.

This is not a good read, but compared against sales drop of 4.2% for clothing and footwear and a decline of 5.1% for electrical it is not so bad.

The big ticket items, like mowers, are not moving

While DIY, garden and hardware sales deflation of 1.4% because, the customers of the Big-ticket items.

In the furniture and floor care, a second consequence of deflation, has led to a high number of retailers who are in administration after the BRC and the industry is in a record low in consumer confidence.

BRC Director General, Stephen Robertson, said: "Large discounting the VAT reduction, the non-food prices dramatically.

"It is clear, Retail Store, holding prices at a time when many of their own costs rise.

"The government should not add burdens, how much companies increased at a time when margins are so tight."