Like for like

This is a widely used indicator of retailers' current trading performance.

[1] The adjustment is important in businesses that show a significant dynamic of expansion, disposals or closures.

This method would ignore sales that were only possible this year, for reasons such as a merger or acquisition or the launch of a new product or store.

However, there is a significant choice of alternative methods of calculation, which makes it difficult to compare figures quoted by different retailers.

Using like-for-like sales is a method of valuation that attempts to exclude any effects of expansion, acquisition, or other events that artificially enlarge the company's sales.