UK retail expenditure slows on fuel shortage

Shoppers in Britain increased their spending at the weakest rate since January in September. The slowdown was attributed to concerns about fuel shortage, according to a survey released on Tuesday.

The British Retail Consortium said retail expenditure climbed only 0.6% in September, much lower than a 3.0% increase in August.

A disruption in fuel supplies due to fewer tanker drivers resulted in panic-buying in Britain last month. The government put the blame on global economic problems, while critics attributed the fuel crisis to Britain’s tougher immigration rules following Brexit.

A different survey conducted by Barclaycard showed consumer expenditure on fuel jumped 11.1%, the highest increase in more than two years.

Overall consumer card expenditure jumped 13.3% compared to the same period in 2019.

The study also highlighted that non-essential spending growth slowed as consumers refrained from unnecessary purchases due to rising inflation.