Retail sales volume growth remained flat in the three months to September compared with the previous three months, according to the latest ONS figures.

Food stores sales volumes fell 0.7 per cent and non-food stores showed no growth.

Total sales volumes increased 2.2 per cent compared with the same period last year - the slowest growth since April 2006.

Compared with last year, sales in food stores remained flat, while non-food increased 2.5 per cent.

Between September and October total sales volumes decreased 0.1 per cent, with sales volumes rising 1 per cent in food stores but falling 1.1 per cent for predominantly non-food stores.

ONS said the non-seasonally adjusted value of retail sales for the three months to October was 3.2 per cent higher than in the same period last year.

The average weekly value of sales in October was£5.3 billion, 3.2 per cent higher than in October last year.

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