Retail Sales Show Sharp Spike In July
News that retail sales appear to have increased by 0.8% in July has been met with waves of disbelief by analysts in the City. The figure seems to be at odds with the failing economy, increased unemployment and a crashing property market. So what pushed retail sales so high in July?
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has suggested that the rise was fuelled by consumers on the hunt for bargains in the high street but this does not really hold much sway in the investment community. Quite how sales can apparently appear to push ahead when all around is crashing remains to be seen but at some stage we are sure to see a substantial lurch down in retail sales with many experts feeling that these figures are only delaying the inevitable.
This erratic trend in retail sales offers yet more grief for the Bank of England with the MPC unlikely to act either way until we see a trend emerging. If they were to reduce rates with sales rising they would be accused of playing into the hands of inflation, but if they increase rates and sales fall off they would be considered overly cautious - they just cannot win at the moment.
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