To learn more about this month's Distributive Trades Survey data, see our press release:
www.cbi.org.uk/media-centre...

Total distribution sales volumes (including retail, wholesale, and motor trades) fell in the year to November at a slightly quicker rate to October. Sales are set to decline at the same pace next month.

Selling price inflation fell closer to the long-run average in the year to November, following a sharp rise in August. Retailers anticipate selling price growth to ease slightly again next month.

Headcount in retail declined again in the year to November and is expected to fall at a slightly faster pace next month.

Retailers plan to pull back investment in the year ahead. Investment intentions remain historically weak and have now been negative for three-and-a-half years.

Retailers judged November’s sales volumes to be “poor” for the time of year, to a somewhat greater extent than in October. December’s sales are set to continue disappointing, to a comparable degree.

Retail sales volumes fell at a fast pace in the year to November, extending a period of weakness that goes back to mid-2023. Retailers expect sales set to fall again heading into December, albeit at a somewhat slower pace.

October’s fall in retail sales was broad-based across all four main sectors. Following strong activity seen over the summer, some retailers attributed this recent drop in sales to consumers delaying their purchases in anticipation of Black Friday discounts.

🔗To learn more, check out our full results here: www.cbi.org.uk/media-centre...

Stocks of finished goods were reported as more than “adequate” in November, and stand slightly above the long-run average.

Total order books and export order books were reported as below “normal” in November. Both stand below their respective long-run averages.

Expectations for average selling price inflation eased in November, and stand in ling with the long-run average.

"Today's [inflation] figures add to the evidence that price pressures are gradually subsiding.

If this trend continues, the case for an interest rate cut in December looks increasingly compelling.”

Check out our full response to today's inflation data:
www.cbi.org.uk/media-centre...

Utility bills made the largest downward contribution to slowing inflation, reflecting a smaller rise in Ofgem’s energy price cap change in October (2%) relative to this time last year (10%). This more than offset upward contributions from food & drink and other key categories.

To read our response to today’s figures, click here 👇
www.cbi.org.uk/media-centre...

Growth in Q3 was driven by an increase in investment (primarily investment in private homes, and by government). Consumer spending also rose, but at a weaker than average pace. These offset negative contributions from lower inventories compared with Q2.