MNI BRIEF: UK Retail Sales At 3-Yr High In Q3 - ONS

UK retail sales by volume are estimated to have risen by 0.5% m/m and 2.3% y/y in September, the Office for National Statistics said Friday, with ONS senior statistician Hannah Finselbach noting quarterly sales "were at their highest level since summer 2022.

The ONS said online jewellers reported strong demand for gold -- perhaps unsurprising given the recent run of the precious metal to record high prices (see MNI: UK Consumer Confidence Up, But Savings Rise ). Telecom sales were also strong, perhaps reflecting the release of the new Apple iPhone17 in mid-month.

Over the previous three months, sales are estimated to have risen by 0.9% in Q3 2025 when compared with Q2. Good weather in July and August helped clothing sales in Quarter 3, while non-store retailers showed sustained monthly rises over both quarters. The data overall is better-than-expected, but will unlikley impact the Bank of England's policy decision, as the MPC view the data as highly volatile. (see MNI INTERVIEW: UK Consumer Savings Still Drag on Economy- ONS )