The volume of retail sales increased 0.6 per cent for the three months to October, compared with a 1.8 per cent rise in the three months to the end of July and a 3.7 per cent increase for the same period last year.
Monthly sales volumes rose 0.9 per cent - the highest growth since November 2005 and 3.9 per cent higher than a year ago.
For the three months ending October, the value of retail sales rose by 3.9 per cent, compared with the same period last year - the highest since November 2004. The total value of sales in October is estimated at£19.8 billion, 3.9 per cent higher than last year.
Increases were reported for all sectors except for food stores, where sales decreased 0.2 per cent. The largest increases were for non-specialist stores and non-store retailers, where sales in both sectors grew 2.5 per cent. Clothing sales were up 1.9 per cent in October, the highest since February. Sales by food stores indicated increases of 4.4 per cent over the year, compared with 3.4 per cent for non-food stores.
The average weekly value of sales in October was£4.9 billion, 3.9 per cent higher than in October last year.
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