UK retail sales growth slumps as shoppers wait for Black Friday deals

Later October half-term break and budget uncertainty also led to lower spending, says industry

Growth in UK retail sales slumped in October, according to industry figures that suggest shoppers have put off spending in anticipation of Black Friday promotions and because of a later school half-term break.

Figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) show total sales grew by 0.6% year on year in October, significantly weaker than September's and less than half the three-month average growth rate.