Despite a high profile, full-colour relaunch of the Independent titles at the end of September, average circulation at the Sunday newspaper dropped 9% month on month, to 165,764.
The new low comes amid growing speculation surrounding The Independent titles' future at Independent News Media.
While less pronounced, circulations also fell throughout most of tabloid and mid-market Sunday titles, with the Sunday Express the only paper to buck the trend, up 2.14% month on month to 669,386.
In contrast, the quality Sundays all posted modest increases in circulation month on month. The Observer had an average circulation of 455,130 in October up 0.45% month on month, but down 6.59% year on year.
The Sunday Times and The Sunday Telegraph recorded similar performances. The average circulation of The Sunday Times was 1,234,076, up 1.03% month on month and down 3.16% year on year.
The Sunday Telegraph's circulation was up 1.15% month on month at 628,832, boosted by its free Birdsong CD promotion, but was down 3.48% year on year.
The Sunday Express' main rival The Mail on Sunday, posted a circulation of 2,218,418, down 0.92% month on month and 6.75% year on year, despite Sound of Music and Tina Turner promotions.
Britain's most popular Sunday paper, The News of the World, was down 3.19% month on month to 3,138,782, and down 6.36% year on year.
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