UK retail sales rose 1.5% year on year in October 2026, the strongest increase since June, according to figures published on 10 November by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and KPMG. The rise beat the three-month average growth of 1.2%, but retailers described October as subdued, with many shoppers holding back spending until Black Friday and Christmas. ## Food leads, non-food flat Food sales climbed 3.2% compared with October last year, ahead of the 12-month average growth of 3%, while non-food sales were flat, [Reuters](https://kwsn.com/2026/11/09/uk-retail-spending-shows-modest-growth-ahead-black-friday-survey-show/) reported. Like-for-like sales, which strip out the effect of new stores, rose 1.1%. BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said retailers were hoping pent-up demand would translate into stronger spending through November and December. ## Card spending tells a firmer story Separate figures from Barclays, based on consumer card spending, showed a 2.3% annual increase in October, up from 2.0% in September and the strongest growth since July 2025. Essential spending rose 3.1%, driven by a 22.7% jump in spending on fuel, while non-essential spending rose 1.9%. Barclays found retail spending itself grew by just 0.5%, with clothing transactions up 5.2% but spending down 1.8%, suggesting more frequent but lower-value purchases, according to [Business Live](https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/uk-retailers-post-weak-october-34886338). ## Confidence still weak All five of Barclays' consumer confidence measures fell in October in the run-up to the Chancellor's Budget on 28 October, and its gauge of confidence in the UK economy was at its weakest since April. The mixed picture leaves retailers relying heavily on the festive season: the spending is holding up, but much of the gain reflects higher fuel prices rather than a broad surge in demand.