‘Spectre of no deal Brexit’ haunts worst September on record
Retail sales fell as the “spectre of a no-deal Brexit” continued to affect consumer spending habits, according to the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor.
On a total basis, sales fell 1.3% in September compared to a 0.7% increase in the same month last year. This was below the three-month average decline of 0.4% and the 12-month average growth of 0.2%, a new record low. It was also the worst September since the BRC-KPMG records began in 1995.
During the period, UK retail sales fell 1.7% on a like-for-like basis, after falling 0.2% the previous year. This was worse than the three-month average of -0.8% and 12-month average of -0.4% – the lowest 12-month average since August 2009.
In-store sales of non-food items fell 3.2% over the three months to September, worse than the 12-month average decline of 2.9%. During the same period, food sales registered a 0.3% uptick on a like-for-like basis and 1.2% increase on a total basis. This was below the 12-month average of 1.7%, the lowest since March 2017.
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