Retail sales volumes across Great Britain rose 0.7 per cent in the third quarter of 2026 but slipped 0.4 per cent in September, with warmer-than-usual weather suppressing demand for autumn and winter clothing.
Retail sales volumes in Great Britain fell 0.4 per cent in September 2026 compared with August, according to the Office for National Statistics — even as the broader third quarter recorded growth of 0.7 per cent against the second quarter. The September dip was driven by weaker clothing sales and a fall in supermarket volumes after two months of gains in July and August.
Warmer weather was a recurring factor in the ONS analysis. It supported food and beverage sales through the summer months but cut demand for seasonal ranges, with mail-order clothing retailers reporting notably softer sales. Supermarket volumes, which had risen in both July and August, fell back in September.
Hannah Finselbach, ONS senior statistician, noted that motor fuel sales had returned to monthly levels last seen before the start of the conflict in the Middle East, despite recent petrol price increases.
Fuel sales were a key driver of the quarterly picture. After weaker volumes in the second quarter, fuel recovered through July to September — alongside food and drink — to support the overall 0.7 per cent quarterly rise. But September’s monthly figures tell a different story: total retail sales volumes including automotive fuel were down 0.4 per cent over the month.
The August figure was revised upward to 0.7 per cent growth from an earlier estimate of 0.5 per cent. July’s monthly fall was also revised, to 0.4 per cent from a previously reported 0.5 per cent decline. These are the ONS first estimates for September 2026, covering England, Scotland and Wales. The figures do not capture spending on most services, including hospitality, transport or personal services. The next ONS retail sales release, covering October 2026, is scheduled for 20 November 2026.
Source: @ONS