UK retail sales up 0.8% in Oct, 5.8% above pre-COVID levels

By Aysu Bicer

ANKARA (AA) - Retail sales volumes in the UK rose by 0.8% in October 2021, 5.8% higher than pre-coronavirus levels, according to official data released on Friday.

Non-food stores was the only main retail sector that saw a rise in sales volumes, up by 4.2% in the month, showed the figures by Office for National Statistics.

This rise was driven by growth in clothing stores (6.2%) and other non-food stores (7.2%), including second-hand stores, toy stores and sports equipment stores, as shoppers started Christmas shopping early this year.

Food sales volumes fell by 0.3% but remain above pre-pandemic levels by 3.4%.

Automotive fuel sales volumes diminished by 6.4% in October as they returned recently to more typical levels following strong growth in September, 5% below February 2020 levels.

The proportion of retail sales online also fell to 27.3%, its lowest since March 2020 (22.5%) but still substantially higher than the 19.7% pre-pandemic level.