UK retail sales declined more than expected in August as the cost of living crisis weighed on consumer spending, official data showed Friday.
The retail sales volume declined 1.6 percent month-on-month, in contrast to July's revised 0.4 percent increase, the Office for National Statistics reported. Economists had forecast a moderate 0.5 percent decline.
The monthly fall in sales volumes was the strongest so far this year and joint largest fall since July 2021 when all legal restrictions on hospitality were lifted.
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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.