British retail sales fall unexpectedly in November

ISTANBUL

The UK retail sales volume dropped unexpectedly in November, falling 0.1% on a monthly basis, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said on Friday.

The figure defied market expectations of a 0.3% rise and followed an upwardly revised 0.9% decrease in the previous month.

"Non-store retailers' volumes dipped as demand for gold slowed, while supermarkets fell for the fourth consecutive month," said an ONS statement.

In November, non-store retailers fell, with online jewelers reporting reduced demand following the price of precious metals stabilizing.

"Supermarket sales volumes fell for their fourth consecutive month, with retailers reporting low footfall. However, this was partly offset by a rise of 1.0% in non-food stores (the total of department, clothing, household, and other non-food stores)," it noted.

Meanwhile, department stores' sales volumes rose, which some retailers attributed to longer pre-holiday Black Friday discounting, while retailers of footwear and leather goods also did well.

In November, sales of automotive fuel recovered from the previous month's fall, returning to just above September 2025 levels.

On an annual basis, retail sales volumes rose 0.6%, well below estimates of a 1.6% rise.

Additionally, in the three months leading to November, sales volumes also rose 0.6% compared to the previous period and were up 0.7% year-on-year.