Executive Summary

• UK retail sales growth proved solid in September: The year-over-year increase of 3.6% was broadly in line with the 3.8% average in the prior 12 months and was up from 2.8% in August.
• Small retailers drove total growth, with a reported 7.6% increase in September. Larger retailers, which form the bulk of UK retailing, saw growth of 2.4% in September versus 4% in August.
• Online sales growth softened to single digits, with weak online growth at nonfood retailers. Nonstore retailers drove the increase in total e-commerce sales.