British retail sales fall in September but rise over the quarter

Retail sales volumes in Great Britain fell 0.4% in September, the Office for National Statistics reported on 23 October. Over the three months to September, volumes increased 0.7% from the preceding quarter and 1.5% from a year earlier.

The monthly fall followed an August increase revised to 0.7%. September volumes were still 0.8% higher than a year earlier. These comparisons describe different time periods and should not be combined into a single growth rate.

Food and fuel sales supported the quarterly result. The ONS also reported that warm weather affected demand for autumn and winter clothing online in September. The figures measure retail goods sales, rather than the whole economy or all household spending on services.