Retail sales fell as Budget worries hit spending

Sales volumes were up 0.8% in the August to October period when compared with the previous three months.

“When we look at the wider trend, retail sales are increasing across the three-month and annual periods, although they remain below pre-pandemic levels,” said ONS senior statistician Hannah Finselbach.

She said October’s fall “was driven by a notably poor month for clothing stores, but retailers across the board reported consumers held back on spending ahead of the Budget”.

Sales at clothing stores were down 3.1% in October, with separate surveys having suggested that milder weather last month might have led shoppers to delay buying warmer clothing.