UK retail sales drop 0.4% in September as consumer confidence hits lowest since Covid

Briefing by News4U · First published 2026-10-23 07:10:35 UTC

Official data showed UK retail sales fell 0.4% in September, exceeding forecasts, while consumer confidence plunged to its lowest level since the pandemic.

UK retail sales fell 0.4% in September, exceeding the 0.1% decline forecast by economists, while consumer confidence recorded its sharpest month-on-month drop since early in the Covid-19 pandemic. [1] [2]

Tesco, Sainsbury's, Greggs and Kingfisher upgraded annual profit guidance, but retailers warned of challenging conditions ahead of next week's budget and rising inflation pressure in 2027. [2]

Sources

1. UK Retail Sales Fall, Consumer Confidence Worst Since Covid

   Bloomberg · 2026-10-23 06:46:28 UTC · Summary only

2. UK retail sales fall by 0.4% in September

   RTÉ Business · 2026-10-23 06:55:35 UTC · Full text

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