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Retailers Question Positive Sales Figures
Listed under: News
Published: Wednesday, July 14, 2010
As a recent report reveals that sales on the high street rose considerably over the last month, craft shop owners have suggested there is still a long way to go before business returns to normal.
Craft shop owners have expressed doubts over the recent findings from the British Retail Consortium (BRC), which claim that sales figures on the high street grew at their fastest rate since March last month, rising 3.4%, compared to a 3.2% increase last June.
The statistics attribute the surge in sales to the sunny weather and early summer discounts, which have driven many people to the high street in a quest to make the most of the sales before the VAT rise next January.
However, businesses in the craft sector have been somewhat surprised by the report, revealing that footfall has been pretty much stable over the last few months. “I can't say I noticed any change in our takings last month and things were generally the same as last year,” explains Dorothy Holt, owner of Holts Art Shop in Cumbria. “Of course, it has been quite a difficult time for people living around this area, as we have had all the trouble with the shootings and problems relating to that.
“Generally speaking, June and July tend to be very quiet times of year for us, as many people are away on holidays and students, who account for a large proportion of our takings, are off school for the summer break,” she adds. “While it's always nice to hear positive reports about the economy, I can't say the statistics are a clear reflection of how things have been for me, and although business certainly hasn't been dire for us, it definitely has not been as great as they suggest either.”
Commenting on her predictions for the next few months, she adds, “I'm definitely not expecting anything spectacular and although I do think we might see our takings rise slightly in the run up to Christmas, I don't expect it will be anything too substantial just yet.”
How was business for you in June? Email your thoughts to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Craft shop owners have expressed doubts over the recent findings from the British Retail Consortium (BRC), which claim that sales figures on the high street grew at their fastest rate since March last month, rising 3.4%, compared to a 3.2% increase last June.
The statistics attribute the surge in sales to the sunny weather and early summer discounts, which have driven many people to the high street in a quest to make the most of the sales before the VAT rise next January.
However, businesses in the craft sector have been somewhat surprised by the report, revealing that footfall has been pretty much stable over the last few months. “I can't say I noticed any change in our takings last month and things were generally the same as last year,” explains Dorothy Holt, owner of Holts Art Shop in Cumbria. “Of course, it has been quite a difficult time for people living around this area, as we have had all the trouble with the shootings and problems relating to that.
“Generally speaking, June and July tend to be very quiet times of year for us, as many people are away on holidays and students, who account for a large proportion of our takings, are off school for the summer break,” she adds. “While it's always nice to hear positive reports about the economy, I can't say the statistics are a clear reflection of how things have been for me, and although business certainly hasn't been dire for us, it definitely has not been as great as they suggest either.”
Commenting on her predictions for the next few months, she adds, “I'm definitely not expecting anything spectacular and although I do think we might see our takings rise slightly in the run up to Christmas, I don't expect it will be anything too substantial just yet.”
How was business for you in June? Email your thoughts to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
