Business · Economy · 4 hrs ago
UK retail sales fell 0.4% in September as warm weather hit clothing demand
UK retail sales volumes fell 0.4% in September, according to official figures.
The decline was in the amount of goods bought from retailers, not the value of sales.
Warmer weather reduced demand for autumn and winter clothing.
The fall was steeper than economists had expected, after sales rose 0.7% in August.
Despite September's drop, sales volumes grew 0.7% over the third quarter, with motor fuel and food and drink contributing to growth.
The figures show that warm weather affected what shoppers bought, while overall sales volumes still rose over the quarter.
UK retail sales volumes fell 0.4% in September compared with August, according to the Office for National Statistics.
The decline was greater than economists’ forecast of a 0.1% fall.
Warmer weather weighed on demand for autumn and winter clothing.
Sales had risen 0.7% in August and fallen 0.4% in July, with both figures revised upwards.
Retail sales volumes were up 0.7% in the third quarter of 2026 compared with the previous three-month period.
- Who
- UK retailers, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics.
- What
- Retail sales volumes fell 0.4% in September compared with August.
- When
- September 2026.
- Where
- The UK.
- Why
- Warmer weather dragged on demand for autumn and winter clothing.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Retail sales volumes fell 0.4%.
Retail sales volumes rose 0.7%.
Retail sales volumes fell 0.4% compared with the previous month.
Retail sales volumes rose 0.7% compared with the previous three-month period.
- September sales change
- Fell 0.4% month on month
- Economists’ forecast
- A 0.1% decline
- August sales change
- Rose 0.7%
- Third-quarter sales change
- Rose 0.7% compared with the previous three-month period
- Main factor cited
- Warmer weather weighed on demand for autumn and winter clothing
3 sources
What people are saying
Food and drink sales also contributed to growth in the quarter, partly helped by the warm weather and the World Cup, although they fell back slightly in September.