Retail-sales volumes in Great Britain fell 0.4% in September 2026, but rose over the third quarter as a whole, according to the Office for National Statistics release published on 23 October. For readers assessing consumer demand, the monthly and quarterly measures tell different parts of the story.
Monthly weakness, quarterly growth
| Measure | Disclosure | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| September versus August 2026 | Down 0.4%. | Primary record |
| September versus September 2025 | Up 0.8%. | Primary record |
| Q3 versus Q2 2026 | Up 0.7%. | Primary record |
| Q3 versus Q3 2025 | Up 1.5%. | Primary record |
| Revised August monthly change | Up 0.7%, revised from a 0.5% increase. | Primary record |
| Revised July monthly change | Down 0.4%, revised from a 0.5% decline. | Primary record |
What changed across retailers
The ONS reported lower mail-order and supermarket sales in September. Online clothing retailers said the autumn and winter ranges had been affected by warmer weather. These are explanations reported by the surveyed retailers, not proof that one factor caused every change in national spending.
Non-food store volumes also fell 0.4% on the month, while automotive-fuel volumes rose. Quarterly growth partly reflected fuel sales recovering after weaker activity in Q2, alongside stronger food and beverage sales during warm weather.
Volume is not the same as spending value
A sales-volume estimate adjusts for price changes to describe the quantity of goods bought. A value measure describes money spent. For example, the ONS reported that total retail spending value rose 0.3% in September even though the volume estimate fell 0.4%. Rising spending does not automatically mean shoppers bought more goods.
The series covers retail goods in Great Britain. It is not a complete measure of UK household spending, which also includes services, or of overall economic output. Seasonal adjustment aims to remove recurring calendar and seasonal effects so that successive periods are more comparable.
Revisions are part of the evidence
Monthly estimates can be volatile and subject to revision. The updated July and August figures show why a single month should be read alongside the three-month trend. The next release is scheduled for 20 November 2026; its figures are not yet known.
Official sources and reporting scope
Primary document and official companion record. Both are official ONS publications for the same statistical release, not independent datasets. Latest saved source observation: . This report does not establish a live share-price reaction or an investment return.
Related CapKet coverage: the ONS release on UK unemployment in June–August.
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