UK retail sales dropped in August for the fourth consecutive month as grocery sales were impacted by more people returning to restaurants and pubs, according to official figures.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said retail sales volumes dropped by 0.9% last month, following a 2.8% fall in July.
However, retail sales volumes remain 4.6% ahead of pre-pandemic levels.
The drop in sales for August came as a surprise to analysts, who had forecast a 0.7% increase for the month.
It represents the first time since 1996 that retail sales have dropped for four months in a row.
Jonathan Athow, ONS deputy national statistician for economic statistics, said: “Sales fell again in August, though not nearly as much as in July, and, overall, remained above their pre-pandemic level.
“Other data suggest that the drop in food stores’ sales is linked to an increase in eating out following the lifting of coronavirus restrictions.
“Meanwhile, motor fuel sales increased on the month as people ventured out more, but they remained below pre-pandemic levels.”
Food store sales slipped by 1.2% for…
