SHOPPERS have continued to ease the pace of their spending after the CBI's latest retail survey showed that sales growth slowed slightly this month.

The lobby group's distributive trades report pointed to a solid performance in the year to September, albeit at a weaker rate than the month before. A greater percentage of retailers said sales rose in September than fell, giving a balance of plus 31.

Department stores, footwear and leather shops and furniture and carpet outlets performed strongly.

But growth among supermarkets slowed significantly as grocers battle each other for market share through an extended price war.

CBI director of economics Rain Newton-Smith said: "Solid growth continues on the high street, with most sectors doing decent business and department stores performing well."