UK Retail Sales Down in September as Economic Recovery Slows

Christmas in Oxford Street — Retail sales dropped as delayed autumn weather stopped shoppers from stocking up on seasonal buys Reuters

There was further backing to the claim that the UK's economic recovery may be beginning to slow down after retail sales dropped in September, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Sales volumes fell by 0.3% as the warm weather kept shoppers from buying their next season's clothes.

The decline is more than the ONS had predicted and the steepest drop since January.

On the other hand, it increased by 2.7% in comparison with figures from the same month in 2013 – representing the 18<sup>th consecutive month of year-on-year growth.

Clothing and footwear sales were the biggest sufferers of the decline as sales fell by 7.8% - the biggest drop in this sector since April 2012.

To combat the decline, the average store price, including petrol stations, fell by 1.4% when compared to September 2013. It is the biggest fall in store prices since July 2009.

With the retail sector amounting to almost 6% of the UK economy, the high street and the government alike will be relieved that the delayed warm weather has come to an end so that consumers start buying seasonal gear.