Retail sales fell unexpectedly last month for the first time since May in the latest sign of consumer caution ahead of the Budget.

Official figures showed retail sales by volume fell 1.1% during October, following an upwardly revised increase of 0.7% in September.

Most economists had forecast for retail sales to remain unchanged month-on-month in October.

Retail sales were 1.1% higher in August to October 2025 than in the previous three months.

Clothing stores saw a strong performance in those three months, whilst computer and telecommunication retailers rose across September and October.

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— Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) November 21, 2025

In the three months to October, the Office for National Statistic

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