retail sales in the uk declined in august as falling households real incomes due to high inflation weighed on consumer spending on goods retail sales volumes fell 16 on month in august swinging from a revised 04 increase in july the office for national statistics said friday economists polled by the wall street journal expected retail sales to decline 14 on month augusts monthly fall was broadbased with declines in all main sectors the ons said the uk gross domestic product grew slightly in july led by a rebound in the services sector but economists broadly expect the countrys economy to face a recession in the coming quarters as the costofliving crisis hits consumption and investment