There was a surprise fall in retail sales last month as shoppers remained cautious given the squeeze on budgets from inflation in the run-up to Christmas.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported a fall in sales volumes of 0.3% compared to October when the effects of fuel sales were excluded.
Economists had expected to see growth of 0.3%, given reports of healthy interest, and spending, on goods during the key bargain-hunting period of Black Friday.
But there was a negative performance across the board in every major retail category except for food during the month, suggesting shoppers were keen to eat at home rather than venture out to cafes and restaurants.
The ONS said it likely reflected evidence that many bought Christmas products early to spread the cost.
Non-food store sales volumes fell by 0.6% and were 1.8% below February 2020 levels, it added.
That could also reflect the impact of travel strikes while a 2.8% dip in online sales possibly included a hit from the bitter, continuing, dispute at Royal Mail.
The ONS upwardly revised data covering October when sales bounced back after a hit from the impact of widespread closures for the Queen’s funeral in September.
The number-crunchers recorded month-on-month growth of 0.7% compared to the previous reading of 0.6%.
The latest figures were released against a backdrop of gloom before the festive season, with consumers and businesses alike struggling under the weight of energy-driven inflation.
But while budgets are squeezed by rising bills, hopes were raised earlier this week that inflation had peaked after the core consumer prices index measure eased back in November – led by motor fuel prices.
The Bank of England gave some support to that theory on Thursday after…
