Warm weather in September hits autumn coat sales

The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that retail sales fell more than expected in September as shoppers held back buying autumn clothing amid warm weather. 

Customers also struggled with cost of living pressures, the ONS said.

Globally, September was the warmest on record due to ongoing global warming, and the El Niño weather event.

Sales volumes fell 0.9% in the month, the ONS said, while economists had predicted a 0.2% fall.

Grant Fitzner, the ONS chief economist, said sales “fell notably” in September as the quick pace of price rises put shoppers off, “particularly for sales of non-essential goods”.

“It was a poor month for clothing stores as the warm autumnal conditions reduced sales of colder weather gear.

“However, September’s unseasonable warmth did help drive up food sales a little,” he said.

Mr Fitzner added that fuel sales rebounded from a fall in August.