Core retail sales growth in the United Kingdom slowed markedly in September 2026, pointing to a potential cooling in consumer demand. Year-over-year, core retail sales increased by just 0.8% in September, down from a 2.7% annual rise recorded in August 2026.
The figures, updated on 23 October 2026, compare the change in sales each month to the same month a year earlier. While August’s data suggested relatively robust consumer activity, the September reading shows a significant loss of momentum, indicating that underlying spending—excluding more volatile components—has weakened.
This deceleration in core retail sales growth may raise concerns about the resilience of UK household consumption heading into the final quarter of 2026, particularly if softer spending persists in the months ahead.