Total UK retail sales have fallen in consecutive months for the first time in at least 13 years, a closely-watched survey has said.
Total UK retail sales have fallen in consecutive months for the first time in at least 13 years, a closely-watched survey has said.
Sales in November were down 0.4% from a year earlier, said the latest British Retail Consortium-KPMG retail survey.
Sales in November were down 0.4% from a year earlier, said the latest British Retail Consortium-KPMG retail survey.
Following a 0.1% decline in October, it was the first drop in overall sales for two months in a row since the survey was first released in January 2005.
Following a 0.1% decline in October, it was the first drop in overall sales for two months in a row since the survey was first released in January 2005.
The report said retailers were now facing a "nerve-wracking Christmas".
The report said retailers were now facing a "nerve-wracking Christmas".
'Food sales up'
However, BBC correspondent Nils Blythe said the BRC figures "give only modest support to the view that a savage downturn on the High Street is already under way".
On a like-for-like basis - which pulls out the impact of new store openings and closures - the survey found that sales in November were down 2.6%.
On a like-for-like basis - which pulls out the impact of new store openings and closures - the survey found that sales in November were down 2.6%.
There is little doubt that Christmas will arrive late for many retailers, leaving them with a very nerve-wracking couple of weeks to come Helen Dickinson, head of retail at KPMG
There is little doubt that Christmas will arrive late for many retailers, leaving them with a very nerve-wracking couple of weeks to come Helen Dickinson, KPMG
This was the sixth month in a row to see like-for-like sales decline.
This was the sixth month in a row to see like-for-like sales decline, but our correspondent said the fall in sales "partly reflects the large number of new shops" that were opened this year.
However, total sales were up 2% in November when the figures are measured on a 12-month moving average.
Total sales were up 2% in November when the figures are measured on a 12-month moving average.
'Food sales up'
The British Retail Consortium said food and drink was the only sector to see sales rise last month, lifted by continuing heavy discounting by the supermarkets.
The British Retail Consortium said food and drink was the only sector to see sales rise last month, lifted by continuing heavy discounting by the supermarkets.
It added that it hoped the cut in VAT from 17.5% to 15% would now help to lift sales.
It added that it hoped the cut in VAT from 17.5% to 15% would now help to lift sales.
"There is little doubt that Christmas will arrive late for many retailers, leaving them with a very nerve-wracking couple of weeks to come," said Helen Dickinson, head of retail at KPMG.
"There is little doubt that Christmas will arrive late for many retailers, leaving them with a very nerve-wracking couple of weeks to come," said Helen Dickinson, head of retail at KPMG.
For retailers, Christmas is a key trading period and for some firms it can represent more than three quarters of annual revenues.
For retailers, Christmas is a key trading period and for some firms it can represent more than three quarters of annual revenues.
As High Street firms such as Woolworths enter administration, there are fears that other firms could see a similar fate.
As High Street firms such as Woolworths enter administration, there are fears that other firms could see a similar fate.
Stephen Robertson, the BRC's director-general said: "The numbers speak for themselves - these are clearly tough times."
Stephen Robertson, the BRC's director-general said: "The numbers speak for themselves - these are clearly tough times."
But he added that it was hoped the "extraordinary" number of discounts and promotions would encourage some shoppers to spend more.
But he added that it was hoped the "extraordinary" number of discounts and promotions would encourage some shoppers to spend more.
The furniture and floor covering sector was the worst performing last month. Are you a retailer? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
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