Consumer Snippets – 14 November 2025

Retail sales slowed in October

UK retail sales rose just 1.5% YoY in October, slowing from the 2.0% delivered in September and below forecasts of 1.7%. This marks the weakest growth rate in five months, as consumers grew increasingly cautious ahead of potential tax hikes in the upcoming budget. Food sales growth slowed to 3.5% from 4.3% in September, while non-food sales grew just 0.1%.