The Office for National Statistics released the retail sales data for the U.K. Retail sales in the U.K. fell 0.3% in September, missing expectations for a 0.1% decrease, after a 0.4% gain in August.
On a yearly basis, retail sales in the U.K. climbed 2.7% in September, missing expectations for a 2.8% rise, after a 3.7% increase in August. August's figure was revised down from a 3.9% rise.
The decline was driven by a weak clothing demand. Clothing and footwear sales dropped by 7.8% in September, the biggest monthly decline since April 2012.
That data could mean that the economy in the U.K. is losing momentum, and the Bank of England may delay its interest rate hike.