UK retail sales declined for the first time in five months in October as consumers delayed their spending in the lead up to Black Friday, the Office for National Statistics said on Friday.
British consumer confidence deteriorated in November ahead of the upcoming autumn budget, a private survey revealed.
Retail sales fell 1.1 percent on a monthly basis in October, in contrast to the 0.7 percent increase in September. This was the first fall in five months and worse than economists' forecast of 0.1 percent drop. Excluding automotive fuel, retail sales posted a monthly drop of 1.0 percent after a 0.7 percent rise in September. Sales were expected to fall 0.2 percent.
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June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.