Sales rose by 1.2% last month, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said, the sixth month in a row that sales have increased. Online stores did well, but clothing sales weakened, the ONS said. Analysts warned that sales were likely to fall sharply in November because of the lockdown restrictions in England. Deputy national statistician for economic statistics Jonathan Athow said: "Despite the introduction of some local lockdowns in October, retail sales continued its recent run of strong growth.