London, UK: UK retail sales increased in October but food sales fell according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Despite the growth in retail sales, they remain below pre-pandemic levels as the cost of living hits households. Sales volumes rose by 0.6% following a 1.5% drop in September but food stores saw sales drop.
The ONS said that on a longer-term measure sales were still falling. Sales volumes in the August to October period fell by 2.4% when compared with the previous three months, which the ONS said continued a downward trend which had begun in summer 2021.
The rebound followed weak sales in September due to shops being open for fewer hours or closing for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, the ONS said. But economists suggested the latest uptick in sales will not continue.
