		<div class="wpcnt">
			<div class="wpa">
				<span class="wpa-about">Advertisements</span>
				<div class="u top_amp">
							<amp-ad width="300" height="265"
		 type="pubmine"
		 data-siteid="111265417"
		 data-section="2">
		</amp-ad>
				</div>
			</div>
		</div><p><a href="http://londonglossy.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/high-street-sees-big-sales-boost.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full" title="The high street has seen its strongest sales growth in eight years" src="http://londonglossy.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/min-high-street-sees-big-sales-boost.jpg" alt="The high street has seen its strongest sales growth in eight years"/></a></p>
<p>The high street has enjoyed its strongest sales growth in eight years as shoppers look to beat January&#8217;s VAT rise, the CBI has said.</p>
<p>Despite the potential impact of snow and freezing conditions on footfall, the business lobby group reported that a balance of 56% of retailers said volumes were stronger than a year ago in early December &#8211; contributing to the survey&#8217;s highest reading since April 2002 and the sixth strong month in a row.</p>
<p>Hardware and DIY stores benefited from the surge in demand, while clothing, grocery goods and department stores also did well. However, retailers are braced for slower growth from next month when a balance of 35% expect sales to be higher than a year ago, compared with 52% recorded last month.</p>
<p>Ian McCafferty, CBI chief economic adviser, said: &#8220;Sales on the high street continued to rise strongly compared with a year ago, reflecting a stronger crucial pre-Christmas trading period.</p>
<p>&#8220;However, December&#8217;s strong survey balance is also likely to capture spending being brought forward ahead of the January increase in VAT. Indeed, retailers expect sales growth to lose some momentum in the new year.&#8221;</p>
<p>The CBI remains cautious about prospects for the retail sector given concerns over consumer confidence in the new year. VAT is due to increase from 17.5% to 20% on January 4.</p>
<p>Travis Perkins on Tuesday said sales at its Wickes DIY chain recovered in October and November as shoppers brought forward projects before the VAT hike.</p>
<p>The CBI&#8217;s strong December sales figures also reflect comparisons with the tough trading conditions seen on the high street a year earlier.</p>
<p>A balance of 52% of retailers said they placed more orders with suppliers than a year ago &#8211; the highest reading since December 1983 &#8211; as firms replenished stocks ahead of the festive period.</p>
<p>However, this falls to a balance of 24% when firms are asked if they expect to increase orders next month, the CBI added.</p>
			<div style="padding-bottom:15px;" class="wordads-tag" data-slot-type="belowpost">
				<div id="atatags-dynamic-belowpost-69e1e44db42ea">
					<script type="text/javascript">
						window.getAdSnippetCallback = function () {
							if ( false === ( window.isWatlV1 ?? false ) ) {
								// Use Aditude scripts.
								window.tudeMappings = window.tudeMappings || [];
								window.tudeMappings.push( {
									divId: 'atatags-dynamic-belowpost-69e1e44db42ea',
									format: 'belowpost',
								} );
							}
						}

						if ( document.readyState === 'loading' ) {
							document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', window.getAdSnippetCallback );
						} else {
							window.getAdSnippetCallback();
						}
					</script>
				</div>
			</div>
Discover more from London Glossy Post
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
