UK retail sales slump in September as inflation and wage woes bite

Supermarkets and petrol stations hardest hit as lacklustre pay growth and rising inflation dent spending power

High street sales slumped last month, pushing the UK retail sector to its lowest growth rate in four years for the three months to the end of September as the impact of rising inflation and sluggish wage growth dented consumer spending power.

Official figures showed the amount of goods bought by consumers fell 0.8% in September and set the UK on course for a period of slow growth in the run-up to Christmas.

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