Business · Economy · 8 hrs ago
UK retail sales grew modestly in October as shoppers waited for deals
UK retail sales rose 1.5% year on year in October, according to figures from the British Retail Consortium and KPMG.
Shoppers delayed some purchases, leaving non-food sales flat as they waited for Black Friday deals and Christmas.
Food sales increased 3.2%, helped by cupboard staples and spending on Halloween snacks, costumes and decorations.
Separate Barclays figures put retail spending growth at 0.5%, while its measure of card spending rose 2.3%, showing that different measures recorded different trends.
Consumer confidence dipped ahead of the Chancellor’s Budget on October 28, as households faced higher costs and concerns about the economy.
Retailers are hoping spending picks up in November and December, but rising energy bills, interest rates and other costs remain a pressure on households and businesses.
UK retail sales rose 1.5% year on year in October, according to the British Retail Consortium and KPMG.
Growth was above the three-month average of 1.2%, but shoppers held back ahead of Black Friday and Christmas.
Food sales increased 3.2%, while non-food sales were flat.
Separate Barclays figures showed retail spending grew 0.5% as consumers made more purchases in some categories but spent less overall.
Barclays said all five of its consumer confidence measures dipped in October ahead of the Chancellor’s Budget.
- Who
- UK retailers and shoppers.
- What
- Retail sales rose modestly in October as some shoppers delayed purchases for Black Friday deals.
- When
- October; the figures were reported on November 10, 2026.
- Where
- The UK.
- Why
- Some shoppers waited for Black Friday deals, while higher household costs and caution ahead of the Budget also weighed on spending.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
UK retail sales increased 1.5% year on year, according to the British Retail Consortium and KPMG.
The Chancellor’s Budget took place as consumer confidence measures dipped in the run-up, according to Barclays.
The Evening Standard reported the October retail sales figures.
- UK retail sales growth
- 1.5% year on year
- Three-month average growth
- 1.2%
- Food sales growth
- 3.2%
- Non-food sales growth
- Flat
- Barclays retail spending growth
- 0.5%
- Barclays consumer card spending growth
- 2.3% year on year
What people are saying
Government must move faster to cut back the taxes and regulations making it harder for retailers to keep prices down.
But with consumers facing higher household costs, caution ahead of the Budget, and some waiting for Black Friday deals, overall sales growth was modest.
As the squeeze on consumers’ spending power begins to build, it is reassuring to see resilient numbers in October, albeit alongside signs that consumers are becoming more cautious and that the summer optimism over the economic outlook is starting to fade.