Retail sales volumes rose by 1.8% in October, compared with October 2012, while the amount spent increased as well, by 2.5%. Volumes bought in DIY stores also increased.
However, the latest report from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that sales volumes and sales values both decreased from September this year by 0.7%.

Non-food stores and non-store retailing were the biggest contributors to year-on-year growth, increasing 2.7% and an impressive 16.3% respectively.

Within the non-food category, the quantity bought in DIY stores increased. Despite this, the value of the overall household goods stores sector decreased by 1.6% in October, compared to October 2012, and the total expenditure in this sector also dropped by 0.6%.

Online sales accounted for 10.5% of all retail sales in October this year, which is an increase of 1.1% against the same period last year.

Diyweek.net reported earlier this week that Barclaycard data also showed that DIY stores saw an increase in spending of 10% in October, despite the stormy weather discouraging shoppers away from the high street.