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Business

UK retail sales fall at slowest pace in 18 months, CBI survey shows

British retailers reported the smallest fall in sales in a year and a half in October, the CBI's distributive trades survey showed, with the sales volume balance rising to -10 from -55 in September.

By James Calloway · · 1 min read

British retailers reported the smallest fall in sales in a year and a half this month, according to the Confederation of British Industry’s distributive trades survey, bucking the downbeat trend in other recent data from the sector.

The CBI’s monthly sales volume balance rose to -10 in October from -55 in September, its highest since April 2025, Reuters reported. Sales for the time of year were the strongest since May 2024.

“The ongoing retail sales downturn eased in October, with volumes falling at their slowest annual pace in over a year,” CBI lead economist Martin Sartorius said. “That said, the outlook remains fragile as businesses face headwinds from cautious household spending and higher fuel costs.”

Sales volume expectations for November rose to -10 from -37, while the balance for orders placed with suppliers improved to -36 in October from September’s record-low -62. Online retail volumes also fell more slowly, with that balance rising to -39 from -68, according to dpa-AFX.

The survey was based on responses from 68 retail chains between 28 September and 14 October.

The CBI called on Chancellor John Healey to cut employers’ social security contributions and property taxes in his first annual budget on Wednesday. The survey contrasted with official data last week showing annual retail sales volume growth slowed sharply in September to 0.8% from 2.7%, and with GfK’s consumer confidence survey recording its sharpest fall since the COVID-19 pandemic in October.

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