Deloitte comments on ONS retail sales figures for September 2026

Commenting on today’s ONS retail sales figures, Oliver Vernon-Harcourt, head of retail at Deloitte, said:

“The drop in retail sales in September suggests that consumers are tightening their purse strings as they assess what the coming months could mean for their finances. The rise in inflation, fuel and energy prices, as well as falling consumer confidence, are creating a cocktail of uncertainty for many.

“While spending remained relatively consistent across the summer months, resilience will now be pushed further as inflation rises once more, and the cost of fuel and utilities continues to increase. The recent shift to cooler weather and a stormier start to October may provide some support for seasonal categories such as autumn and winter clothing, homewares and comfort food, which suffered in September due to the unseasonably warm weather. However, spending is likely to come under increasing pressure as households weigh up their finances and prioritise where their money goes as winter arrives.

“The Golden Quarter, as always, will be a critical trading period for retailers. With Halloween, Black Friday, and Christmas – including major advertising campaigns – all competing for consumers' attention, retailers will be working hard to capture demand while demonstrating value. Alongside trading performance, cyber resilience will remain a key focus as retailers seek to maintain customer trust and operational stability through one of the busiest periods of the year.”­