UK Retail Sales Rise in September
UK retail sales volumes rose 0.5% month-on-month in September, beating economist forecasts for a 0.4% decline.
Online sales climbed for the eighth consecutive month as consumer confidence improves, with annual growth in retail sales accelerating to 1.5%.
The improvement comes despite ongoing economic uncertainties and provides a welcome boost ahead of the crucial Christmas trading period.
The figures represent a notable shift in consumer behaviour, with households appearing more willing to open their wallets for discretionary purchases.
The squeeze on real incomes may finally be easing as wage growth outpaces inflation.
Author's summary: UK retail sales rose 0.5% in September, beating expectations.