Retail sales volumes fell by 0.9% in August, compared to a growth of 1.1% in July, according to the Office for National Statistics. Sales in household goods stores were down, as well. Year-on-year estimates for August this year, however, showed that the quantity bought in the retail industry increased by 2.1%.
The ONS bulletin presents estimates of the quantity bought (volume) and amount spent (value) in the retail industry for the period July 28 to August 24 2013. The value of the total amount spent in the retail industry for this August rose by 3.6% compared to August last year, which is said to be a result of the Olympics.

This comes after the BRC-KPMG's Retail Sales Monitor (published earlier this month) showed that UK retail sales in August 2013 were up on a like-for-like basis compared with August 2012.

The figures in the ONS report are based on a monthly survey of 5,000 UK retailers, including all large retailers employing 100 people or more. These results are seen as an important early economic indicator as retail sales can be a sign of consumer confidence.

Both the quantity bought and the amount spent in household goods stores fell, by 2.1% and 2.4% respectively, in August this year compared with August 2012. The BRC-KPMG report, however, showed that home categories performed well in August this year, with flooring and furniture selling well.

Overall, in the four weeks to August 24, the amount spent in the retail industry was £26.9 billion (non-seasonally adjusted). This compares with £27.9 billion from the same report covering the four weeks of July.