UK Retail Sales Fall 0.4% as Warm Weather Hits Clothing

UK retail sales volumes fell 0.4% in September compared with August, the Office for National Statistics said. Warm weather weighed on demand for seasonal clothing.

• 0.1% was the decline economists had forecast for September.
• 0.7% rise in August, revised up from an estimated 0.5%.
• 0.4% fall in July, revised from an earlier estimated 0.5% drop.
• 0.7% quarterly growth in volumes for the third quarter of 2026.

Why it matters: The monthly drop and the quarterly gain point in different directions. Retailers had a weak September after a stronger summer.

• Motor fuel led quarterly growth despite recent price increases at the pump.
• Food and drink sales rose over the quarter but slipped in September.

How 3 sources split on this story

What’s next: ONS senior statistician Hannah Finselbach said fuel sales returned to levels seen before the Middle East conflict began.

• Finselbach credited warm weather and the World Cup with helping food and drink sales.
• Will autumn and winter clothing demand recover once temperatures fall?
• How will rising fuel prices affect spending in the fourth quarter?