Published
October 18, 2024
UK retail sales surprisingly rose last month, according to official data on Friday, suggesting reports that consumers are cautious ahead of possible tax rises in the forthcoming budget this month may be wide of the mark.
It points to some optimism — perhaps — for the festive season ahead, although it’s far from certain that the season will be a golden one.
Back with September, sales volumes increased by 0.3%, not spectacular, but easily beating economists’ predictions of a 0.3% fall.
After stronger gains in both July and August, Q3 sales rose by 1.9%, the joint largest increase since mid-2021.
Non-food stores sales volumes – the total of department, clothing, household and other non-food stores – rose by 2.5% in September 2024, following a rise of 0.6% in August.
Telecoms and computers were the main drivers here, with the sector jumping by almost 35% in monthly terms in September, the Office for National Statistics said.
But in the key back-to-school month, clothing and footwear also boosted growth. And with the weather turning distinctly autumnal, consumers may well have been keen to update their wardrobes.
Online sales also rose last month and while fashion wasn’t exactly the star sector, it still rose. The value of total online spending rose by 1.3% during month on month and by 6.7% compared with September 2023.
Copyright © 2024 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.
Published October 18, 2024 Lot’s going on for Luke Roper, best known for its Luke 1977 label. The British menswear specialist has secured a “la
Published October 18, 2024 After a “hugely successful” launch in the North East, French beauty retail giant Sephora is now turning its attentio
Published October 18, 2024 Mothercare refers to itself as “the highly trusted British heritage brand that connects with the parents of newborn ba
Published October 18, 2024 On October 17, global parent and child focused business Mothercare and Reliance Brands Limited’s wholly owned subsidia