UK retail sales rose 3 per cent on a like-for-like basis last month, compared with September 2006 when sales were up 2.4 per cent, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

Retail sales rose 3 per cent on a like-for-like basis last month, compared with September 2006 when sales were up 2.4 per cent, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

The three-month trend rate of growth was unchanged from August, at 2.1 per cent for like-for-like sales and 4 per cent for total sales. Total sales advanced 4.9 per cent in September.

A colder end of the month helped clothing and footwear sales to pick up after a poor July. Food sales maintained August’s growth, but were less favourable than earlier in the year. Furniture and larger homewares were weaker, but health and beauty had another good month.

BRC director-general Kevin Hawkins said: “Sales were slightly better than anticipated for two reasons – firstly, the weather gave a much-needed fillip to the clothing and footwear sectors, but secondly and more importantly, price promotions and cuts in base prices were widespread across all sectors, resulting in an unprecedented number of buying opportunities.”

The BRC warned that consumer confidence is being hit by interest rate rises and financial worries after the banking and credit crisis.

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