Financial News: UK Retail Sales Decline Unexpectedly

UK Retail Sales Decline Unexpectedly

08/21/2026 - 02:26:00 (RTTNews)

(RTTNews) - UK retail sales dropped unexpectedly in July on weaker non-food store sales, data from the Office for National Statistics revealed Friday.

Retail sales decreased 0.5 percent month-on-month in July, reversing a revised 0.7 percent rise in June. Sales were forecast to drop 0.4 percent.

Excluding auto fuel, retail sales declined 0.9 percent, offsetting last month's 0.9 percent increase. Economists had forecast sales to fall 0.5 percent.

Food store sales growth improved to 0.5 percent, while non-food store sales declined 1.3 percent from June. At the same, auto fuel sales advanced 3.8 percent.

The ONS said non-food stores and non-store retailers fell back in July, which retailers attributed to demand being brought forward to June because of earlier than usual promotional activity.

On a yearly basis, retail sales increased at a slower pace of 1.6 percent after rising 3.8 percent in June. Likewise, sales excluding auto fuel grew 2.3 percent, weaker than the 5.0 percent rise in the prior month.

For comments and feedback: contact editorial@rttnews.com

Market News provided by RTTNews

RECENT INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL NEWS

UK Retail Sales Decline Unexpectedly (56 min(s), 42 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - UK retail sales dropped unexpectedly in July on weaker non-food store sales, data from ...Full Story»

Japan Overall Inflation Climbs 1.9% On Year In July (22 min(s), 18 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Overall consumer prices in Japan were up 1.9 percent on year in July, the Ministry of ...Full Story»

Australia Manufacturing PMI Unchanged At 52.0 - S&P Global (17 min(s), 18 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - The manufacturing sector in Australia continued to expand in July, and at a steady pac ...Full Story»

New Zealand July Trade Shortfall NZ$1.9 Billion (34 min(s), 18 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - New Zealand posted a seasonally adjusted merchandise trade deficit of NZ$1.9 billion i ...Full Story»

Japan Inflation Data Due On Friday (37 min(s), 18 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Japan will on Friday release July figures for consumer prices, highlighting a modest d ...Full Story»

South Korea Producer Prices Sink 0.4% In July (52 min(s), 18 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Producer prices in South Korea were down 0.4 percent on month in July, the Bank of Kor ...Full Story»

Treasury Reveals Details Of Two-Year, Five-Year & Seven-Year Note Auctions (48 min(s), 18 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - The Treasury Department on Thursday announced the details of this month's auctions ...Full Story»

U.S. Leading Economic Index Rises Slightly More Than Expected In July (36 min(s), 18 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - A reading on leading U.S. economic indicators increased by slightly more than expected ...Full Story»