Retail sales in Great Britain fell unexpectedly for the fifth month running in September, marking the worst slump for high street shops and online sales since modern records began in 1996.
The Office for National Statistics said retail sales dipped by 0.2% in September, after an upwardly revised fall of 0.6% in August, despite the removal of most coronavirus restrictions across the UK.
Confounding expectations for a boom in consumer spending fuelled by billions of pounds in household savings built up during lockdown, retail sales volumes have fallen in each month since April.
The latest figures come as fears mount about the strength of the economy, with shortages of workers and goods and rising inflation dragging down growth and contributing
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