UK retail sales fall 0.5 pct by value in August compared to July; up 1.9 pct year on year

UK retail sales fall 0.5 pct in August from July

LONDON — Official data show retail sales in Britain fell 0.5 percent in August compared to July, though they were still 1.9 percent ahead of a year ago.

The Office for National Statistics said Thursday that by volume the sales also dropped by half a percent during the month.

The value of sales for the most recent three months was 0.6 percent higher than in the previous three months. The volume over the same period rose by 1.4 percent, indicating that price-cutting was helping boost sales.

Economist Howard Archer at IHS Global Insight said the August slump would increase fears of a double-dip recession.