There was a small rise in UK retail sales in October but sales but remain below pre-pandemic levels, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Sales volumes increased by 0.6% last month following a 1.5% fall in September, when sales were affected by the extra bank holiday for the Queen’s funeral.
Growth was seen in all sectors apart from food stores, where sales volumes fell by 1.0%.
Economists have warned that the uptick in retail sales is likely to be temporary.
In the three months to October 2022, sales volumes declined by 2.4% when compared with the previous three-month period.
“Looking at the broader picture, retail sales continue their downward trend seen since summer 2021, and are below where they were pre-pandemic,” said Darren Morgan, director of economic statistics for the ONS.
With UK inflation hitting 11.1% in October, a 41-year high, Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said that rising prices were continuing to “inflict pain” on retailers and consumers alike.
“There were drops in purchases of household electricals,” Dickinson said, “while key goods such as pharmaceuticals and footwear held up slightly better. Consumer confidence improved slightly as the political turmoil of recent months began to abate.
“Retailers are hoping sales will pick up a little as the World Cup and festive season approaches, but there is little chance of them catching up with current double-digit inflation.”
