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| Energy fears drive blankets and air fryers sales ahead of winter | |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| People are stocking up on blankets and air fryers as they try to keep their energy bills down this winter, according to a new report. | People are stocking up on blankets and air fryers as they try to keep their energy bills down this winter, according to a new report. |
| Other energy-efficient appliances, such as air dryers, and warm clothing have also been selling well, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) said. | Other energy-efficient appliances, such as air dryers, and warm clothing have also been selling well, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) said. |
| But despite this, overall retail sales volumes continued to fall in September, the BRC said. | But despite this, overall retail sales volumes continued to fall in September, the BRC said. |
| It said people have been avoiding buying items such as TVs and computers. | It said people have been avoiding buying items such as TVs and computers. |
| The report, from the BRC and consultancy KPMG, showed the value of retail sales grew by 2.2% last month, an increase from the 1% growth seen in August. | The report, from the BRC and consultancy KPMG, showed the value of retail sales grew by 2.2% last month, an increase from the 1% growth seen in August. |
| However, the slight rise in sales masks a much bigger fall in the volume of goods sold, once inflation is accounted for, the BRC said. | However, the slight rise in sales masks a much bigger fall in the volume of goods sold, once inflation is accounted for, the BRC said. |
| Inflation - the rate at which prices are rising - is currently near a 40-year high, at 9.9%. | Inflation - the rate at which prices are rising - is currently near a 40-year high, at 9.9%. |
| Six tips for cutting home energy bills this winter | Six tips for cutting home energy bills this winter |
| Customers could get £100 for cutting energy use | Customers could get £100 for cutting energy use |
| Energy firms told to help more over bill troubles | Energy firms told to help more over bill troubles |
| "While UK retail sales grew in September, this represented another month of falling sales volumes given high levels of inflation," said Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium. | "While UK retail sales grew in September, this represented another month of falling sales volumes given high levels of inflation," said Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium. |
| "As consumer confidence continued to fall, people shopped cautiously, avoiding large ticket items such as new computers, TVs and furniture," she said. | "As consumer confidence continued to fall, people shopped cautiously, avoiding large ticket items such as new computers, TVs and furniture," she said. |
| "Many households are also preparing for higher energy costs this winter, with blankets, warm clothing, and energy-efficient appliances, such as air dryers and air fryers, all selling well." | "Many households are also preparing for higher energy costs this winter, with blankets, warm clothing, and energy-efficient appliances, such as air dryers and air fryers, all selling well." |
| Energy bills rose for millions of households on 1 October, although the increase was cushioned by a government cap on the cost per unit. | Energy bills rose for millions of households on 1 October, although the increase was cushioned by a government cap on the cost per unit. |
| A typical household annual bill has gone up from £1,971 to £2,500 and there are some further cost-of-living payments to help soften the impact. | A typical household annual bill has gone up from £1,971 to £2,500 and there are some further cost-of-living payments to help soften the impact. |
| But prices are still twice as high as last winter. | But prices are still twice as high as last winter. |
| Elsewhere, the BRC report shows that food sales rose by 4.6% over the three months to September, compared with the same period in 2021. | Elsewhere, the BRC report shows that food sales rose by 4.6% over the three months to September, compared with the same period in 2021. |
| Non-food sales slipped by 0.4% over the quarter but rose over the month of September, helped by clothing sales. | Non-food sales slipped by 0.4% over the quarter but rose over the month of September, helped by clothing sales. |
| "Once again, clothing and footwear came to the rescue of the High Street, and back-to-school purchasing was a driver in retail growth figures, with sales of children's shoes up over 15%," said Paul Martin, UK head of retail at KPMG. | "Once again, clothing and footwear came to the rescue of the High Street, and back-to-school purchasing was a driver in retail growth figures, with sales of children's shoes up over 15%," said Paul Martin, UK head of retail at KPMG. |
| "Sales of household appliances and cooking accessories also moved into positive territory this month, as consumers look to purchase more energy efficient kitchen items in light of rising energy prices." | "Sales of household appliances and cooking accessories also moved into positive territory this month, as consumers look to purchase more energy efficient kitchen items in light of rising energy prices." |
| Ms Dickinson warned the winter ahead would be tough for retailers as well as consumers. | Ms Dickinson warned the winter ahead would be tough for retailers as well as consumers. |
| "Costs are increasing throughout retailers' supply chain, the pound remains weak, interest rates are rising, and a tight labour market is pushing up the cost of hiring," she said. | "Costs are increasing throughout retailers' supply chain, the pound remains weak, interest rates are rising, and a tight labour market is pushing up the cost of hiring," she said. |
| "All of this is making it harder for retailers to reduce prices and help struggling households." | "All of this is making it harder for retailers to reduce prices and help struggling households." |
| Nights in | Nights in |
| A separate report from Barclaycard further illustrated the pressures on households, as cost of living concerns bite. | A separate report from Barclaycard further illustrated the pressures on households, as cost of living concerns bite. |
| The figures showed consumer card spending rose 1.8% year-on-year in September, the smallest uplift since February 2021. | The figures showed consumer card spending rose 1.8% year-on-year in September, the smallest uplift since February 2021. |
| Spending on essential items saw its weakest rise this year, with growth slowing on fuel and groceries. | Spending on essential items saw its weakest rise this year, with growth slowing on fuel and groceries. |
| However, Barclaycard said that categories such as takeaways and digital content benefited from the arrival of colder weather, which has prompted people to spend more time at home. | However, Barclaycard said that categories such as takeaways and digital content benefited from the arrival of colder weather, which has prompted people to spend more time at home. |
| "Consumers are taking a savvy approach to budgeting as they reduce spending on discretionary items and seek more value in their weekly shop, which is having a knock-on effect on retail and hospitality sectors," said Esme Harwood, director at Barclaycard. | "Consumers are taking a savvy approach to budgeting as they reduce spending on discretionary items and seek more value in their weekly shop, which is having a knock-on effect on retail and hospitality sectors," said Esme Harwood, director at Barclaycard. |
| "However, Brits are also looking for ways to enjoy themselves at home while saving money, which has led to growth across "insperience" categories such as digital subscriptions and takeaways. | "However, Brits are also looking for ways to enjoy themselves at home while saving money, which has led to growth across "insperience" categories such as digital subscriptions and takeaways. |
| "It is likely to remain a challenging time for many other sectors as consumers focus on essential spending and businesses continue to navigate inflationary headwinds." | "It is likely to remain a challenging time for many other sectors as consumers focus on essential spending and businesses continue to navigate inflationary headwinds." |