Overview
- The Office for National Statistics reported a 0.5% month-on-month rise in retail sales volumes for August, reversing a 0.5% fall in July and beating economists’ forecasts.
- Department stores recovered from July stock issues with sales up 1.8% in August and non-store (online) retailers posted a strong rebound that helped lift overall activity.
- Fuel sales fell about 1.3% in August as higher petrol prices changed shopper behaviour and pushed spending toward essentials like food and supermarkets.
- The three-month trend remained positive at roughly 0.9%–1.1%, showing the summer’s June World Cup and hot weather boost carried through despite month-to-month swings.
- Markets and policymakers will watch whether the surprise August gain, reported on Friday, September 18, 2026, signals sustained demand that could affect interest-rate decisions and sterling moves.