FX.co ★ UK Retail Sales Surprisingly Drop

In October 2025, retail sales volumes in the UK experienced a 1.1% month-on-month decline, countering predictions for a stable figure after a revised 0.7% increase in September. This decline is the first since May, attributed to a continued drop in supermarket sales for the second month running. Clothing retailers also reported diminished sales volumes following a peak in September, as many consumers postponed purchases in anticipation of Black Friday deals. Similarly, mail-order and other online retailers reported declines, partly due to reduced demand for online clothing, with several online vendors noting that customers deferred spending, awaiting significant discounts. Comparing the period from August to October with the preceding three months ending in July, sales volumes grew by 1.1% and were up 0.4% compared to the same period in the previous year. Annually, retail sales edged up by 0.2%, marking the smallest increase since May's decline and softening from the 1% increase recorded in September.