British retail sales slip amid household income squeeze
Oct 19, 2017
Official figures show that retail sales in Britain fell by a bigger than anticipated 0.8 percent in September, a drop that analysts say has its roots in the squeeze on household incomes following an inflationary spike
LONDON — Official figures show that retail sales in Britain fell by a bigger than anticipated 0.8 percent in September, a drop that analysts say has its roots in the squeeze on household incomes by a spike in inflation.
Despite the monthly fall, the Office for National Statistics said retail sales were 0.6 percent higher in the three months to September from the previous three-month period. That means that retail sales will have had a positive impact overall on third quarter economic growth figures, which are due for release next week.
As a result, most economists think the Bank of England will raise its key interest rate at its next policy meeting on Nov. 2 for the first time in a decade from the current record low of 0.25 percent.
