// November retail sales volumes dipped 0.4% on October and were down 5.9% against last year

// Food sales rose slightly as shoppers stocked up for Christmas early, however, non-food sales fell

Black Friday failed to lift retail sales, which dipped last 0.4% by volume month on month in November, according to the Office of National Statistics.

Sales volumes fell 5.9% against last November, although values jumped 4.2%, reflecting inflationary price rises.

Food sales volumes edged up 0.9%, with anecdotal evidence from retailers suggesting that customers stocked up early for Christmas.

However, non-food sales volumes fell 0.6% and were 1.8% lower than February 2020’s pre-pandemic levels.

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Accenture retail lead for the UK & Ireland Lynda Petherick said: “The fact that not even the World Cup and Black Friday Christmas shopping could produce an increase in sales will come as a major disappointment to retailers, especially considering the increase last month. 

“The sector continues to battle spiralling costs, which are now being exacerbated further by weather, travel and delivery disruption.

“The festive season could well be the last hurrah for consumers as the new year will likely see them tightening their belts further, so retailers need to be doing all they can to make the most of this period.”

The decline of online retail continued last month, with non-store retailers’ sales volumes down 2.8%, which continues the downward trend experienced since early 2021.

However, non-store sales are still 18.2% higher than pre-pandemic levels.

Data from BDO’s High Street Tracker released last week suggested that retailers earlier and larger Black Friday discounts may “cannibalise” sales in December.

The consultancy is expecting weaker sales in December with many consumers getting their Christmas shopping done early.

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