UK retail sales rose 2% year-on-year on a like-for-like basis in September 2025, easing from a 2.9% gain in August as inflation worries and the prospect of higher taxes in the upcoming budget dampened spending. The figure also fell short of market expectations of 2.5%. Food sales advanced 4.3% amid rising grocery prices, while non-food sales edged up 0.7% as unseasonably mild weather discouraged shoppers from updating their autumn and winter wardrobes. Helen Dickinson, BRC chief executive, said: “With the budget looming large, and households facing higher bills, retail spending rose more slowly than in recent months. Milder weather meant shoppers delayed refreshing autumn and winter wardrobes and growth in food sales was largely inflationary rather than volume growth. Meanwhile, electrical sales were buzzing thanks to the release of the new iPhone and Apple Watch.”
