UK retail sales fell for the first time since May, declining by 1.1% in October. This compares to a revised increase of approximately 0.7% in September (originally reported as 0.5%), while forecasts had predicted a decline of around 0.1%. However, sales in the three months to October rose by 1.1% compared to the three months to July, supported by clothing sales.

Specifically, retail sales outside of stores fell by 1.7% in October, with clothing and footwear sales dropping by 3.3%. Sales of motor fuel declined by 2.4%, and food sales decreased by 1.1%.