The amount UK shoppers bought fell -0.2% in September – and online stores, fell more dramatically, according to retail sales figures.
ParcelCompare’s head of consumer research, David Jinks, said: “We have grown used to e-commerce saving the day for retail, but last month online sales actually fell by -2% against August. Online sales as a proportion of all retailing was just 19.1% in September 2019, compared with 19.5% reported in September 2018.
“There’s little doubt Brexit battles made consumers wary in September, as the nation held its breath waiting to see if there would be a no-deal Brexit.
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“Normally consumers turn to Amazon and eBay for a little retail therapy in times of trouble, but in September non-store retailing fell back -2.9% and online department stores a whopping -4.3% as shoppers tightened their wallets and their PayPal accounts.”
David concluded: “If even e-commerce growth is faltering amid the general Brexit gloom, UK retail looks to be in a perilous position.
“October is likely to be similarly disappointing. Some kind of Brexit resolution in the run up to the peak Christmas season is the best hope for High Street and now even online retailers.”
