The British Retail Consortium reported that UK total retail sales increased by 2.7% in the five weeks from August 27 to September 30, against a growth of 2.2% in September 2022.
Non-Food sales decreased 1.2% on a total basis over the three-months to September. This is below the 12-month average growth of 0.6%. For the month of September, non-food was in decline year-on-year.
Over the three months to September, in-store non-food sales increased 0.3% on a total basis since September 2022. This is below the 12-month average growth of 3.2%.
Online non-food sales decreased by 3.6% in September, against a decline of 2.6% in September 2022. This was shallower than the three-month decline of 4.1% and deeper than the 12-month decline of 3.2%.
The proportion of non-food items bought online – the penetration rate – decreased to 34.9% in September from 35.1% in September 2022.
Helen Dickinson OBE, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “Sales growth in September slowed as the high cost of living continues to bear down on households.
“Big ticket items such as furniture and electricals performed poorly as consumers limited spending in the face of higher housing, rental and fuel costs.
“As inflation eases, so too will longer-term sales growth prospects. The coming months are crucial for retailers as they enter the “Golden Quarter” and they’re investing heavily to support customers and bring prices down.”
Paul Martin, UK head of retail at KPMG, said: “Retail sales continued to limp along, with growth up just 2.7% despite inflation falling in September.
“The fight for Christmas shoppers will be fierce this year, with promotions likely to be earlier and abundant in a bid to loosen tight household purse strings. Consumers will continue to seek out good deals, with price driving purchasing decisions.”
