UK retail sales witnessed a surprising boost in September, surpassing expectations.
- Retailers of technology and telecommunications experienced over a 33% surge in sales.
- The launch of new products, including Apple’s iPhone 16, contributed significantly to these gains.
- Non-food store sales volumes also rose as cooler weather encouraged clothing purchases.
- Despite the overall increase, supermarket sales faced a decline of 2.4%.
September saw an unexpected rise in UK’s retail sales, exceeding analysts’ expectations, driven predominantly by a robust demand for new technology. Technology and telecommunication retailers thrived, recording sales surges of over one-third. This was significantly influenced by new product launches such as the iPhone 16, which managed to counterbalance a 2.4% reduction in supermarket sales.
Data from the Office for National Statistics revealed a 0.3% rise in total retail sales volumes for September. Although slower than August’s 1% hike, this increase surpassed predictions of a potential 0.3% decline. Notably, these figures represent the highest index levels since July 2022, with a striking 3.9% year-on-year sales increase, marking the largest annual rise since February 2022.
The British Retail Consortium’s director of insight, Kris Hamer, attributed the rise in non-food store sales volumes, which grew by 2.5%, to the onset of autumn. With the change in season, consumers were prompted to refresh their wardrobes. Hamer noted, “Autumn led people to upgrade their wardrobe, as well as the last minute student dash for new computers, as the new academic year began.”
Despite these positive trends in technology and clothing, big ticket items such as furniture and household goods continued to suffer. Consumers appeared to prioritize savings for the holiday season or prefer spending on experiences.
In summary, the rise in UK retail sales during September was a testament to the strong consumer interest in technology and seasonal apparel, despite challenges faced by supermarkets.
