From BBC News
Clothing retailers on the UK's High Streets suffered badly in the face of September's unseasonably hot weather, according to a new report
Fashion sales fell in value by 5.9% compared with the same time last year, as shoppers shied away from buying autumn and winter stock.
Across all sectors high street sales dropped by 2.8% last month.
It was the eighth month in a row that the High Street survey, by business consultancy BDO, had shown a decline.
While sales of homewares rose by 12.6% last month and lifestyle goods, including gifts and health and beauty items, also edged up, that was not enough to make up for the negative impact of the heatwave on fashion retailers.
"September was always going to be tough when compared against a strong September 2015, but retailers should take the erratic weather as a lesson in the importance of flexibility," said BDO's head of retail, Sophie Michael.
"When you look at individual performances, it doesn't take long to spot who has innovated and adapted their supply chains to be able to cope with unseasonal weather," she added.
Fashion sales wilt in September heatwave