Longest losing streak on record for retail sales as consumer confidence slumps to lockdown level

Longest losing streak on record for retail sales as consumer confidence slumps to lockdown level

Retail sales volumes took a surprise dip last month to achieve their longest losing streak on record, according to official figures released as a measure of consumer confidence showed a slump to levels last seen in February.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that sales volumes declined by 0.2% in September.

Economists had expected a lift of 0.5% despite consumers getting to grips with rising costs of many essentials as the economy endures disruption from supply chain difficulties including the shortage of workers.











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The supply chain problems have led to limited shortages of products including food but supermarkets say stocks are generally good





The ONS said the fall meant that volumes had fallen each month since April, making it the longest period for shrinking sales since records began in 1996.

However, its number-crunchers revealed that despite the performance, volumes remained 4.2% above their pre-pandemic level.



The data showed rising sales in two categories - food and fuel.

The latter was boosted, the ONS said, by the panic buying frenzy towards the end of the month with 2.9% growth being recorded as motorists rushed to the pumps.



Non-food stores reported a fall of 1.4% in