Retail sales in September saw a notable boost driven by the start of the academic year and changing seasons.
- The British Retail Consortium reported a 2% rise in sales, surpassing the average growth of recent months.
- Food sales experienced a modest increase, although not as high as previous months’ growth figures.
- Non-food sales faced a slight decline but were balanced by a rise in online sales for these categories.
- Experts highlight consumer focus on clothing and essentials for school and work, amidst economic concerns.
Retail sales in September were positively impacted by the back-to-school period and the arrival of autumn. According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), there was a 2% increase in total retail sales compared to the same month the previous year. This growth exceeded the 12-month average increase of 1.1%.
Food sales rose by 3.1% on a year-to-year basis for the three months leading to September, although this was a decrease from the 7.4% growth observed in August of the previous year. The sales figures for food remained below the 12-month average growth of 4.4%, indicating a mixed performance within this sector.
While non-food sales saw a minor decline of 0.3% over the three months leading to September, there was a compensating 3.4% rise in online non-food sales. This suggests a shift in consumer behaviour towards online shopping for non-food items.
BRC’s Chief Executive Helen Dickinson commented on the retail sector’s performance, highlighting the unexpected growth in non-food sales as shoppers prepared for autumn with wardrobe updates, including coats and boots. She noted a last-minute spike in the purchase of computers and apparel for the upcoming school term.
Linda Ellett, KPMG UK’s Head of Consumer for Retail and Leisure, observed a positive trend in children’s clothing and footwear sales, driven by the school year’s commencement. Despite a general cautiousness among consumers regarding significant purchases like furniture, the return to work post-summer also spurred demand for adult apparel. Rainy weather contributed to increased sales in warm and wet-weather clothing.
Overall, September’s retail figures indicate a robust start to the autumn season, with school and seasonal purchases driving sales.
