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Official figures show the biggest quarterly jump on record for retail sales, as the sector battles the coronavirus lockdown amid renewed restrictions.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported a 17.4% increase in volumes in the third quarter of the year from July to September.
The broader numbers were much stronger than analysts expected, given continued consumer caution in the tough COVID-19 economy that has caused an increase in unemployment and has forced the chancellor to improve his financial aid to companies and workers.
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The data showed that sales excluding fuel purchases increased 1.6% in September compared to August, leaving them 6.4% higher compared to the same month in 2019.
There has been separate evidence that buyers may have brought forward Christmas spending due to uncertainty about pandemic restrictions in the coming months.
The ONS said supermarkets led the charge as people were eating out less, with non-food sales just 1.7% above their pre-pandemic level in February. Clothing sales fell nearly 13% by the same measure.
The share of online sales in the total mix stood at almost 28% in September compared to 20% in February.
The news is largely welcome for a sector that has been among those that have felt the worst pain of the crisis to date, according to a Sky News jobs tracker.
However, industry figures suggest that discounts in many sectors, to entice shoppers to spend, will affect results.
ONS Deputy National Statistician for Economic Statistics Jonathan Athow said of current trends: “Retail sales picked up again in September, the fifth consecutive month of growth since the record drop seen at the start of the pandemic.
“Food stores and online retailers have performed particularly well in recent months, and most other types of stores have now also recovered to pre-pandemic levels after being subjected to temporary closures during restrictions on the spring.
“Spending on home improvement and garden supplies in particular has driven sales.
“Clothing store sales have recovered more slowly and fuel sales remain subdued as people continue to work from home and have reduced the amount of travel.”
