According to the Office for National Statistics, retail sales fell by 0.1% in terms of value and volume compared with November, but were up year-on-year.
Compared with December 2011, quantity was up 0.3% and amount spent up 0.7%. The picture was even brighter for the household goods sector, which saw sales increase by 2.1% in volume and 0.5% in value compared with last year.

The prices of goods sold in the household sector fell by 1.7% in the year to December 2012. Average weekly sales during the month were £0.7bn, and 6.1% were made via the internet.

Non-food stores saw an increase in the quantity of goods bought (+1.6%) year on year, and a marginal increase of 0.6% in the amount spent. Average weekly sales were £3.9bn, more than any other sector.

The price of 'non-food store' goods sold decreased by 0.5% in the year to December 2012, and during the month 8.4% of sales were made via the internet, resulting in an online spend of £337m.