UK clothing and footwear retailers face weak September

UK clothing and footwear retailers experienced a weak September as unseasonably warm weather lowered demand for autumn and winter wardrobes, while shoppers remained cautious ahead of the government’s budget, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and KPMG.

The BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor ranked clothing tenth among retail categories in September, down from fourth place in August and ninth a year earlier. Its three-month average ranking was third, compared with sixth over 12 months.

Footwear fell to seventh place, from fifth in August, despite performing better than clothing. In comparison, the category ranked eighth in September 2025, with a three-month average of fifth and a 12-month average of eighth.

Overall UK retail sales increased by 1.3 percent year-on-year in September, below the 12-month average growth of 1.5 percent. Non-food sales rose by 0.3 percent, while in-store non-food sales increased by just 0.1 percent.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said clothing and footwear had a weak month as warmer-than-usual weather affected demand, although back-to-school spending provided a boost.

Dickinson continued: “The Chancellor cannot promise to ease the cost of living while piling more costs onto the retailers working to keep prices down. With confidence fragile, this Budget is a critical test. Retailers will do everything they can to protect value for customers, but Government must play its part."

Linda Ellett, UK head of consumer, retail and leisure at KPMG, said the prolonged summer may have delayed the transition to autumn and winter wardrobes and added that the approaching Black Friday promotional period could lead consumers to postpone purchases in anticipation of discounts.