· Retail sales volumes fell by 0.2% in
· Retail sales volumes over the last three months fell by 3.9% when compared to the previous three months, partly because of strong sales in April when non-essential retailing re-opened. This is the first fall in the three-month-on-three-month series since
· Clothing and department stores reported an increase in monthly sales volume of 4.3% and 0.2%. Sales volumes were 5.5% and 5.1% below their pre-pandemic February levels.
· Household goods stores sales volumes fell by 9.3% largely due to a fall of 14.8% in furniture and lighting stores and were 1.0% below their levels in
The ONS retail sales update for September has been released - Retail sales,
There was a September surge in clothing sales, as shoppers back from staycations revamped their wardrobes ready for an Autumn of socialising. With all restrictions on partying dropped, consumers splashed out on styles to go out out once again. More staff have hot footed it back to the office after an 18 month break, so it's likely revamping work wardrobes was also a priority.
It will come as a relief for many fashion retailers, particularly those focused on formal and occasion wear, as our penchant for slouching around in leggings and tracksuits had hit hard. In this strive for self-improvement, spending has moved away from home-improvement, with furniture and lighting sales in particular falling off dramatically. We are clearly fed up with staring at four walls, however beautifully adorned.
But the surge in fashion sales weren't enough to stop an overall drop in retail sales of 0.2% in September. Shoppers were more cautious, amid a surge in energy costs, with warnings that higher prices are on the way. This is yet another sign that the economic recovery tailed off in September, with confidence ebbing away among consumers.
The snap back in sales in bricks and mortar stores has also faded, with the novelty of a trip to the high street wearing off. More of us have gone back to our pandemic habits of ordering with an on screen click rather than a trip to the shops. The proportion of retail sales online rose to 28.1% in
NOTES FOR EDITORS
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