LONDON, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- British retail sales rose by 2.7 percent in August, compared with the same period last year, according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on Thursday.
Data showed that the quantity bought in August rose by 2.7 percent year on year, significantly lower than this year's peak growth rate of 6.7 percent in March.
On a monthly basis, the quantity bought fell by 0.2 percent in August, with non-store retailing being the largest contributor to the fall.
Meanwhile, online retailing accounted for 19.7 percent of total retailing in August, lower than the 19.9 percent figure reported in July.
Rhian Murphy, head of retail sales at ONS, said: "Retail sales grew moderately in the three months to August with online sales still providing the biggest driver, despite falling back in the latest month."
"Shoppers spent less on both food and clothing while department stores resumed their downward trend after a brief rally in July," Murphy added.
