
UK retail sales suffered a surprise fall in August, the first drop since January, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.
Sales fell 0.5% from July, suggesting that worries about tax rises and budget cuts are starting to hit consumers.
The ONS added to concerns about spending by revising July’s growth figures to 0.8% from 1.1% previously.
The data came as three retailers – John Lewis, Kesa and Kingfisher – said High Street conditions could worsen.
Non-food stores were the worst hit in August, with sales down 0.7%, driven largely by household goods stores.
Food stores saw a decline of 0.5%, according to the ONS.
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