The UK's retail insurance holders have struggled through the start of the summer, new figures have suggested.
According to the Confederation of British Industry's (CBI's) Distributive Trades Survey, sales dropped for the third consecutive month in the year to July, although it was not as severe as the decline experienced by retail insurance customers between July 2008 and March 2009.
A balance of 32 per cent of retail insurance holders claimed that sales were poor for this time of year, while a net 27 per cent predicted they will remain below the usual seasonal levels during August.
The group's research also revealed that grocers and those in the footwear and leather trade were the only sectors to experience growth.
"Many retailers are having a difficult summer and no pick-up is expected in August. But the overall sales falls are not as heavy as we saw at the start of the year and some retail sectors are reporting growth," commented CBI Distributive Trades Panel chairman Andy Clarke.
Earlier this month, the British Retail Consortium called on the government to extend more support to the UK's high streets, claiming they are the heart of local communities.
