Economics
U.K. Retailers Posted Strongest Growth Since 2009 in September
- Stockpiling, Christmas, schools give welcome boost, BRC says
- Virus curbs could ‘put paid’ to progress, business lobby warns
People browse goods in the store window in London, U.K., on Oct. 12.
Photographer: Jason Alden/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
U.K. retail sales rose in September at their fastest annual pace since 2009 but tighter restrictions to control the surge in coronavirus could deliver a serious setback, an industry body warned.
The British Retail Consortium said the 5.6% jump from a year earlier was driven by renewed stockpiling, early Christmas shopping and the reopening of schools boosting demand for clothing. Like-for-like sales jumped by 6.1%.