Warm September hits clothing sales, but recovery still on track
SUPERMARKET sales fell in September due to warm weather, delaying winter clothes purchases, but sales are expected to rebound towards the end of the year.
The volume of sales fell by 0.3 per cent from August to September due to a 7.8 per cent fall in clothing sales.
Last month marked the fourth warmest September since 1910, data from the Met Office show. Clothing sales should pick up once it gets colder. The data released yesterday also showed that food prices had fallen by 0.3 per cent. Food prices have dipped following intense price wars between supermarkets.
“Looking forward, with consumer confidence strong, employment growth likely to pick up again and easing inflation set to boost real incomes, the outlook remains bright for a strong consumer recovery over the coming months,” said economist Maeve Johnston from Capital Economics.