Retail sales in the UK reached their highest level since 2022 in September, with favorable weather conditions contributing to an increase in clothing purchases, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Monthly retail sales rose by 0.5% in September 2025, and retail sales between July and September were 0.9% higher compared to the previous three months.
Hannah Finselbach, a senior statistician at the ONS, noted that retail sales experienced a significant increase during the last quarter. While food stores saw minimal growth, the pleasant weather during July and August positively impacted clothing sales, and online retail also performed well. Specifically, non-store retailers, which primarily include online shops, experienced a 3.8% rise in sales over the same timeframe.
Additionally, computer and telecom retailers showed notable growth, and online jewellers reported a strong demand for gold. Online spending between July and September increased by 3.5% compared to the previous quarter and was 5% higher than in the same period last year.
The statistics provided by the ONS play a crucial role in shaping government policy, impacting millions of individuals, and assisting the Bank of England in making important financial decisions, including interest rate adjustments.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdxrnz35k1no?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss