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UK retail sales in August partially recovered from a washout in July, official data showed on Friday, but growth was slightly weaker than market forecasts.
The Office for National Statistics said retail sales volumes fell 1.4% annually in August, easing from the 3.1% fall in July, which had first been estimated as 3.2%.
The market had been expecting a 1.2% fall for August, according to FXStreet-cited consensus.
From the previous month, sales volumes rose 0.4% in August, compared to a fall of 1.1% in July. August’s reading was a touch below market consensus, which had forecast a 0.5% rise.
July’s fall was first reported as 1.2%.
The ONS explained that monthly sales growth came from food stores and non-food stores, after wet weather in July had reduced sales of clothing and supermarket food sales.
Non-store retailing, mostly online retailers, saw also saw lower sales, after getting a boost from the wet weather and a range of promotions in July.
Automotive fuel sales fell in August, as retailers suggested this was linked to sharp increases in petrol and diesel prices, the ONS said.
Excluding fuel, retail sales were down 1.4% on an annual basis, after a 3.3% decline in July. On a monthly basis, non-fuel sales edged up 0.6% in August after a 1.4% fall in July.
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