Retail sales volume growth has continued to slow in the three months to September, rising only 0.1 per cent.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), total sales volume in the period was just 2.3 per cent higher than the same period a year ago, the lowest growth since April 2006.

Food stores fell 0.1 per cent, the worst result since records began in 1986. Non-food stores increased 3 per cent.

Between August and September, total sales volume decreased 0.4 per cent. Food stores rose 0.3 per cent and non-food fell 1.1 per cent. Non-food includes clothing and footwear stores, and household goods, which fell 2.3 per cent and 2 per cent respectively.

The ONS said the non-seasonally adjusted value of retail sales for the three months to September was 3.5 per cent higher than in the same period a year earlier. The average weekly value of sales in September was£5 billion, 3 per cent higher than in September last year.