UK retail sales slumped in September as the warm weather hit clothing sales and the cost-of-living crisis continued to bite.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed retail sales fell by 0.9% in September, following a rise of 0.4% in August, well below City forecasts for a fall of 0.4%.
Non-food stores sales volumes fell by 1.9% in September with retailers highlighting continuing cost-of-living pressures and the warm weather, which hit sales of autumn-wear clothing.
Non-store retailing (predominantly online) sales volumes fell by 2.2% in September, following a fall of 0.9% in August.
Food stores sales volumes rose by 0.2% in September, following a rise of 1.4% in August.
Automotive fuel sales volumes rose by 0.8% in September, rebounding from a fall of 1.0% in August.
For the three months to September, sales volumes fell by 0.8% when compared with the previous three months.