UK retail spending posts modest October growth ahead of Black Friday
British retail spending shows modest growth in October as households face higher costs and hold back some purchases before Black Friday promotions. Separate industry data also points to firmer card spending, even as confidence in the UK economy weakens.
Highlights
- UK shop spending rose 1.5% year-on-year in October, the strongest growth since June, with food sales up 3.2% and non-food sales flat.
- Barclays reports consumer card spending up 2.3% year-on-year last month, driven by a 22.7% surge in fuel spending and 3.1% growth in essential spending.
- Consumer confidence in the UK economy is at its lowest since April, despite entertainment sector seeing best month since September 2024 after Glastonbury tickets release.
October spending trends across retail categories
As reported by Reuters, citing the British Retail Consortium, spending in UK shops increases by 1.5% year on year in October, above September's 1.3% growth and the strongest rise since June. The survey covers the four weeks to October 31 and shows food sales rising 3.2% while non-food sales remain flat.Linda Ellett, UK head of consumer, retail and leisure at KPMG, says overall sales growth is modest as consumers face higher household costs, caution ahead of the Budget and delays to purchases while waiting for Black Friday deals. BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson says cupboard staples rise modestly after the British government advises households to stock up for emergencies.
Consumer confidence and sector impact
A separate Barclays survey, based on consumer card spending across a wider range of goods and services, shows a 2.3% annual increase last month, up from 2.0% in September and the strongest growth since July 2025. The spending data covers card transactions between September 25 and October 10, while its consumer confidence reading is based on polling conducted between October 23 and October 27.Barclays says essential spending grows by 3.1%, driven by a 22.7% jump in fuel spending, while non-essential spending rises 1.9%. Its gauge of consumer confidence shows the least optimism about the UK economy since April, although entertainment records its strongest month since September 2024 after Glastonbury festival tickets go on sale.
Earlier, we reported that Chancellor John Healey reaffirmed IMF-backed deficit-reduction plans ahead of the October 28 Budget as UK GDP grew 0.1% in August.
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