UK retail sales beat forecasts rising 0.5% monthly in September

Retail sales in Great Britain rose again in September, supported by stronger clothing and online demand, extending a four-month run of growth and pushing overall volumes to their highest level since mid-2022, data showed Friday.

The Office for National Statistics said retail sales volumes increased 0.5% month-on-month in September, after rising 0.6% in August.

The figure came ahead of the 0.2% drop expected by the FXStreet-consensus.

Sales were up 0.9% in the three months to September compared with the previous quarter, marking a solid rebound following a weak start to the year.

Year-on-year, sales volumes were 1.5% higher, though they remained 1.6% below pre-pandemic levels from February 2020.

The ONS said warm weather in July and August boosted clothing sales during the quarter, while non-store retailers, including online and mail-order businesses, continued to post steady gains.

Non-food store sales rose 0.9% in September. Online retail volumes also climbed to their highest since February 2022.

Spending online increased 1.4% month-on-month in September and 5.6% compared with a year earlier, while total online sales accounted for 28%.

Copyright 2025 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Ways to help you invest your money

Our investment accounts

Put your money to work with our range of investment accounts. Choose from ISAs, pensions, and more.

Need some investment ideas?

Let us give you a hand choosing investments. From managed funds to favourite picks, we’re here to help.

Read our expert tips and insights

Our investment experts share their knowledge on how to keep your money working hard across the markets.