Retail sales slowed in February as consumers started to tighten their belts in earnest, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has reported.

Sales climbed 1.5 per cent on a like-for-like basis over the month, compared with a rise of 3.3 per cent for the same month last year.

The three-month trend rate of growth was stronger, edging up to 1.6 per cent like for like from 1.5 per cent in January, and to 4 per cent from 3.7 per cent for total sales.

BRC director-general Stephen Robertson said: “After a blip at the start of the year as clearance Sales temporarily got customers spending, belt tightening began in earnest in February when the Christmas and new year credit card bills came home to roost. Although a welcome boost was provided by this year’s early Mothering Sunday, which helped food sales, as well as health and beauty, customers remained cautious.”

Food sales remained strong, and sales for Valentine’s Day and Mothering Sunday delivered an uplift. Clothing sales were down year on year for the fifth consecutive month, despite continued discounting and promotions.

Department store sales were slow, with clothing, footwear and larger homewares particularly challenging. DIY remained quiet, dampened by the housing market and homewares edged up just above the level achieved for the same period last year.

KPMG head of retail Helen Dickinson said: “The divergence between the best and worst performing retail sectors continues to grow. Food and drink continued their strong start to 2008, with an even better performance than in January. This sector remains the primary driving force behind the figures, given that it’s such a large part of total retail spending at about 40 per cent of the total market.

“Meanwhile, at the other end of the retail spectrum, the furniture and floorcoverings sector, which was successful in the new year Sales period in using promotional activity to drive momentum, has seen a contraction in market size in February.”