Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the articles indicates that UK retail sales growth has significantly slowed down in October, with a year-on-year increase of only 1.6%, marking the slowest growth since May and below the average of the past 12 months [1][2] - Same-store sales, which exclude the impact of new openings, grew by 1.5% year-on-year, reflecting a cautious consumer sentiment ahead of the upcoming fiscal budget announcement [1][2] - Non-food sales have been particularly weak, with categories such as toys, electronics, and clothing showing almost no growth, which has been a major drag on overall retail performance [1] Group 2 - The British Retail Consortium highlights a clear "wait-and-see" consumer behavior, as shoppers are postponing non-essential spending in anticipation of discounts during the upcoming Black Friday sales [1][2] - Concerns have been raised by major supermarkets, including Tesco and Sainsbury's, regarding potential tax increases that could further suppress already weak consumer demand, especially in the context of high living costs [1] - The current economic environment in the UK is characterized by policy uncertainty and low consumer willingness to spend, indicating that the retail sector's future performance will heavily depend on the details of the forthcoming budget and the actual outcomes of the year-end sales season [2]