Third month of year-on-year growth
Sales growth has continued on the high street, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) distributive trade survey (DTS) revealed.

Retailers have unveiled a third consecutive month of year-on-year growth in sales volumes for February.

According to the study, 43 per cent of retailers said sales volumes were higher than a year ago, while 24 per cent reported a decline - a balance of 19 per cent, which is lower than December and January, but still in line with retailers' expectations.

By sector, 67 per cent of retailers showed volumes of footwear and leather up year-on-year and 49 per cent of retailers reported increased volumes of household appliances.

Clothing was also in demand, with 27 per cent of retailers revealing rises in sales volumes. However, book and stationery retailers suffered, with 63 per cent of retailers revealing falling volumesSales growth has continued on the high street, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) distributive trade survey (DTS) revealed.

Retailers have unveiled a third consecutive month of year-on-year growth in sales volumes for February.

According to the study, 43 per cent of retailers said sales volumes were higher than a year ago, while 24 per cent reported a decline - a balance of 19 per cent, which is lower than December and January, but still in line with retailers' expectations.

By sector, 67 per cent of retailers showed volumes of footwear and leather up year-on-year and 49 per cent of retailers reported increased volumes of household appliances.

Clothing was also in demand, with 27 per cent of retailers revealing rises in sales volumes. However, book and stationery retailers suffered, with 63 per cent of retailers revealing falling volumes.

CBI DTS panel chairman and Asda executive director John Longworth said: 'The headline figures show a heartening high street performance in February as year-on-year sales volumes increased again and selling prices continued to rise.

'But conditions remain tough for many on the high street with sales for the time of year struggling back to normality after a long period of below-par performance.

'Employment in the sector is expected to continue to fall and business investment intentions, although improved on much of 2005 and last year, remain weak.'