MERCHANT SALES DOWN IN APRIL BUT SALES PER DAY REACH NEW HIGH

摘要

The results from April's BMBI report reflect the impact of Easter, resulting in three fewer trading days compared with April 2016. Total sales in April 2017 fell sharply year on year, but average sales per day reached a record high in the 22 months the BMBI report has been published. Absolute sales in April 2017 were 6.3% lower, with all but two categories selling less. Heavy Building Materials, the largest category, was 6.6% lower, with Workwear & Safetywear (-11.6%) and Plumbing Heating & Electrical (-11.5%) weakest. However, average sales per day in April were 9.3% higher than in April 2016 and all categories were up.