U.K. retail sales were up 1% compared to the same period a year ago on a like-for-like basis in August, the British Retail Consortium said on Tuesday. Total sales increased 2.8%.
The rise was driven by back to school shopping and new autumn and winter clothing ranges. Food sales slowed down a little.
Homewares also edged up, but sales were often deal-driven, with big-ticket items affected by consumer uncertainty over job cuts and income prospects.
Non-food store sales rose strongly in August, but this was against an exceptionally low base in 2009.
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
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.