The value of retail sales rose year-on-year during August but was flat month-on-month in a period when rioting disrupted trading.

Sales excluding fuel rose 3.2% by value compared to August 2010 and were flat month-on-month. Volume was down 0.1% in each case, the ONS reported.

The total value rose 4.7% year-on-year and was flat month-on-month, while volume was flat and down 0.2% respectively.

The ONS reported that some stores had been directly affected by the riots that erupted in English cities and others had to close early. However the exact effect could not be measured because some other retailers reported sales uplifts as shopping patterns changed during the disturbances.

Non-store retailing sales volumes showed the biggest uplift, ahead 13.7% year-on-year.

The value of food sales rose 5% year-on-year but volume was down 0.8%. At predominantly non-food stores volume was down 1.2% compared to August 2010 and household goods stores accounted for 0.9 percentage points of the decline.

Fashion and footwear retailers achieved a volume increase of 0.3% year-on-year, driven by footwear. Value rose 4.6%, driven by clothing.

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