UK retail sales values fell 0.7% on a like-for-like basis from January 2009, when sales had risen 1.1%. On a total basis, sales rose 1.2% against a 3.2% increase in January 2009.

The snow boosted food sales in the first week of January as people stocked up on essentials, but hit non-food, especially discretionary items. When the weather improved, food sales slowed but non-food staged a partial recovery. Over the month, food, clothing and footwear showed gains on a year ago, but homewares and furniture showed declines.

Non-food non-store sales (internet, mail-order and phone sales) in January were 14.6% higher than a year ago compared with 26.5% in December. Some benefited from shoppers buying online when snow prevented them from getting out.