UK retail sales fell 0.4% in September 2026, according to the latest data release. The reading came in below the market forecast of -0.1%. It also represented a decline from the previous period, when sales had risen 0.7%.
What the figure measures
The retail sales figure tracks the total value of goods sold by shops and other retailers over the reference period. A negative reading means that spending at the till fell compared with the earlier comparison point, while a positive reading means it grew. The data is closely watched because consumer spending accounts for a large share of economic activity.
The reported value of -0.4 was weaker than the forecast of -0.1, meaning the decline was steeper than economists had expected. Against the previous period’s 0.7, the swing was a move from growth into contraction.
Context of the release
The data was released at 23 Oct 2026 06:00 GMT, covering the reference period of September 2026.
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