Food store sales dipped slightly in September but remained higher over the previous quarter, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The data continues this year's pattern of mixed economic news.
Quarterly Rise but Monthly Fall
Food store sales rose by 0.6% in the quarter but were down 0.4% in September compared with August. However, the ONS pointed out that September's figure was up by 0.8% on the same month last year.
Analysts gave the figures a guarded welcome but warned of uncertainty in the immediate future.
Analysts Warn of Fragile Confidence
Laurence Field, a partner at corporate tax firm Crowe, said the figures should be a “timely warning for the chancellor ahead of next week’s budget”. He added: “Retail sales have grown over the quarter, but September’s fall shows just how fragile consumer confidence remains.”
