"However, although retailers expect the overall business situation to worsen in the coming three months, they still expect sales to rise year-on-year in September"
- Judith McKenna, chairwoman of the CBI panel
Retail sales in the U.K. declined in August, said the Confederation of British Industry on Thursday. The index measuring sales declined to minus 3, the lowest level in four months, from 11 in July. Above 0 indicates higher sales volume, below indicates lower.
"Although this summer's events created a mood of celebration across the nation, these figures would suggest this positivity did not extend to the high street," said Judith McKenna, chief operating officer of Asda and chairwoman of the CBI panel.
"However, although retailers expect the overall business situation to worsen in the coming three months, they still expect sales to rise year-on-year in September," she added.
The FTSE 100 Index climbed 0.04 per cent, or 2.40 points to 5,776.60. The broader FTSE All-Share Index gained to 3,003.12.
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