Sales at UK retailers unexpectedly fell last month, with supermarkets and food stores experiencing their worst Christmas since 2013, according to official figures.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said sales fell 0.3% month-on-month in December amid weak trading in this year's key retail "golden quarter" for the industry. Economists had expected sales to rise 0.4%.

Data from the Office for National Statistics showed that the main reason for the fall in sales in December was in food stores, especially supermarkets, where sales fell by 1.9% month-on-month to their lowest level in more than a decade.

Sales also fell at specialty shops such as butchers and bakeries, as well as alcohol and tobacco stores, including e-cigarette shops.

Hannah Finselbach, senior statistician at the ONS, said: "Retail sales fell in December as food sales were very poor, falling to their lowest level since 2013, with supermarkets being particularly affected. "

This was partly offset by a strong 4.4% increase in sales at textile, clothing and footwear stores (the largest monthly increase in retail), while department store sales also increased by 1.2% month-on-month.

The figures mark a significant shift for clothing stores, which saw monthly sales fall by 3.5% in November and 3.3% in October.

"It's been a better month for clothing and homewares stores, with retailers reporting strong Christmas trading," Fenselbach said.

Black Friday sales, which fell on November 29, fell in ONS data for December but failed to spark sales growth last month as many retailers started selling ahead of the actual sale date Discounted.

This strategy boosted sales figures in November. However, the Office for National Statistics has now revised the month-on-month increase of 0.2% to just 0.1%.

Overall sales in the golden quarter - the key Christmas shopping period when many high street retailers make all or most of their annual profits - were down 0.8% on the July to September period.

However, the Office for National Statistics said retail sales in the last quarter of 2024 were 1.9% higher than the same period in 2023.

Asif Aziz, retail director at mobile phone retailer and operator EE, said: “2024 is proving to be a challenging year for retail, and as the sun sets, the golden quarter lives up to its reputation. “ As we move into 2025, we expect household spending to remain cautious in the face of economic uncertainty."

The downbeat figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for supermarkets join a raft of upbeat Christmas trading figures from chains including Tesco, Sainsbury's, Aldi and Lidl A sharp contrast.