UK Retail Sales Fall Sharply in October

British retail sales dropped more than expected last month. Official figures show sales volumes declined by 1.1% in October compared to September. The decrease was widespread across several sectors. Supermarkets, clothing stores, and mail-order retailers all reported significant declines. This drop signals a potential weakening of consumer spending. Economists had predicted a smaller decrease, making the reported figure a surprise. The data suggests households are growing more cautious with their budgets amid ongoing economic pressures.