Last month saw the weakest growth in online sales for four years.

Figures from IMRG and Capgemini show the usual annual surge in cyber sales slowed to 7.5% – the lowest this year and the worst September since 2014.

Clothing grew just 2.2%, compared with a five-year average of 7.4%.

And orders via a computer tablet dived by a fifth. The slowdown suggests the tough times in retail aren’t just happening on the high street.

Andy Mulcahy from IMRG said: “The strong second quarter, stimulated by events such as the Royal Wedding, World Cup and heatwave, may have left people with less disposable income.”