Early Christmas shopping lifts October retail sales

Early Christmas shopping helped to push up shop sales in October as people spent more on clothing and on toys.

Clothing sales reached their highest level since the start of the pandemic, said the ONS.

It also said second-hand stores, like charity shops and auction houses, had made a large contribution to growth.

Sales in clothing stores were only 0.5% below pre-pandemic levels, "with some retailers suggesting that early Christmas trading had boosted sales," the ONS said.

Items that people were buying or pre-ordering earlier than usual for Christmas this year included toys and clothes, shoes and accessories.

"After an unexpected dip in September, retail sales received a much needed, albeit marginal boost last month as consumers began to answer the calls to start their Christmas shopping early this year," said Lynda Petherick, head of retail at Accenture UK.

"Retailers will be hoping that consumer spending picks up as we get deeper into the 'Golden Quarter' amid fears that inflation, the end of furlough and rising energy prices will continue to squeeze on household spending whilst deterring people from shopping in-store."