Food store sales volumes rose by 0.2% in September 2023, following a rise of 1.4% in August, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

ONS chief economist Grant Fitzner said that “September’s unseasonable warmth” helped to drive up food sales.

However on a quarterly basis, sales volumes fell by 1.3% in the three months to September when compared to the previous three months.

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When compared with pre-pandemic February 2020 levels, food store sales volumes were down again by 3.7%.

Overall retail sales fell more than expected last month with volumes having seen a decline of 0.9% after a 0.4% rise in August.

Fitzner added: “Retail sales fell notably in September, with retailers telling us that cost-of-living pressures are influencing consumers, particularly for sales of non-essential goods.”

Earlier this week, the ONS found that the rate of inflation unexpectedly remained steady in Spetember at 6.7% which was mostly driven by rising fuel prices.

This came despite predictions from economists that it would fall to 6.6%.