Month-on-month retail sales volumes edged down in November but were up year on year, official data showed.
Volumes were down 0.1% in November 2025, following a 0.9% fall in October. However, year on year they rose 0.6% in November, according to the Office for National Statistics.
On a three-month basis, volumes were estimated to have risen 0.6% compared with the three months to August.
The ONS observed: “Clothing stores and computer and telecommunication retailers maintained a strong three-monthly performance. Furniture stores also rose following growth over the last five consecutive months.”
The data indicated that supermarket sales volumes fell for a fourth consecutive month, “with retailers reporting low footfall”.
Department stores’ volumes rose, which the ONS said “some retailers attributed to longer Black Friday discounting”, while retailers of footwear and leather goods also did well.
Deloitte head of retail Oliver Vernon-Harcourt said: “A second consecutive month of decline in retail sales will be a big disappointment for retailers, particularly with Black Friday and early Christmas shopping captured in these figures.
“It could be that some consumers opted to delay spending decisions until after the Budget, but the rise in volumes across department stores, clothing and footwear, and household goods suggests that the start of the discounting period could have enticed consumers into purchases at the end of the month.
“Supermarket sales declining for a fourth consecutive month is a sign of the times, with food inflation still having a significant impact on consumers’ budgets and purchasing decisions.”
No comments yet