The quantity of goods bought (volume) in retail sales is estimated to have risen by 0.1% in the three months to January 2026, compared with the three months to October 2025. The rise was because of better automotive fuel sales over the three months to January 2026, and a good start to the year for non-food stores, which was only partly offset by falls in supermarkets.

Retail sales volumes are estimated to have risen by 1.8% in January 2026, following a rise of 0.4% in December 2025 (unrevised from our previous publication) and a fall of 0.4% in November 2025 (revised down from a 0.1% fall in our previous publication). Growth in January 2026 was partly because of artwork and antiques sales, alongside continued strong sales from online jewellers.

The quantity of goods bought (volume) in retail sales is estimated to have fallen by 0.3% in Quarter 4 (Oct to Dec) 2025 compared with Quarter 3 (July to Sept) 2025. Supermarkets and non-store retailers' sales both fell following a strong Quarter 3 2025.

Retail sales volumes are estimated to have risen by 0.4% in December 2025, following a fall of 0.1% in November 2025 (unrevised from our previous publication) and a fall of 0.8% in October 2025 (revised up from a 0.9% fall in our previous publication). Non-store retailers' volumes rose in December 2025, following falls in October and November, with online jewellers reporting that demand for precious metals picked up in December.

Annual sales volumes rose 1.3% over the year to 2025, with increases in both food and non-food stores, as well as non-store retailers.

The quantity of goods bought (volume) in retail sales is estimated to have risen by 0.6% in the three months to November 2025 compared with the three months to August 2025. Clothing stores and computer and telecommunication retailers maintained a strong three-monthly performance. Furniture stores also rose following growth over the last five consecutive months.

Retail sales volumes are estimated to have fallen by 0.1% in November 2025, following a fall of 0.9% in October 2025 (revised up from a 1.1% fall in our previous publication) and a rise of 0.8% in September 2025 (revised up from a 0.7% rise in our previous publication). Non-store retailers' volumes dipped as demand for gold slowed, while supermarkets fell for the fourth consecutive month.

The quantity of goods bought (volume) in retail sales is estimated to have risen by 1.1% in the three months to October 2025 compared with the three months to July 2025. Clothing store sales rounded off a strong performance in those three months, peaking in September, while computer and telecommunication retailers rose across September and October 2025.

Retail sales volumes are estimated to have fallen by 1.1% in October 2025, following an increase of 0.7% in September 2025 (revised up from a 0.5% rise in our previous publication) and of 0.5% in August 2025 (revised down from a 0.6% rise in our previous publication). This was the first monthly fall since May 2025. Supermarkets, clothing, and mail order retailers fell in October 2025, which some retailers attributed to consumers delaying their spending in the lead up to Black Friday.

The quantity of goods bought (volume) in retail sales is estimated to have risen by 0.9% in Quarter 3 (July to Sept) 2025 when compared with Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2025. Good weather in July and August helped clothing sales in Quarter 3, while non-store retailers showed sustained monthly rises over both quarters.

Retail sales volumes are estimated to have risen by 0.5% in September 2025, following an increase of 0.6% in August 2025 (revised up from a 0.5% rise in our previous bulletin). Computer and telecommunications retailers’ sales volumes grew strongly alongside continued growth among non-store retailers, where online jewellers reported strong demand for gold.

UK retail sales volumes rose +0.5% MoM (vs 0.3% MoM expected) in August 2025, matching July’s gain, and were up +0.7% YoY, though volumes fell -0.1% on a 3Mo3M basis, reflecting persistent softness earlier in the period.

• Sales volumes were +0.8% higher on a 3MoY basis, but remained -2.1% below pre-pandemic February 2020 levels, highlighting longer-term weakness.

• Non-food stores rose +1.1% MoM, with gains across department stores, clothing, household goods, and other non-food stores, supported by strength in second-hand goods and clothing retailers.

• Specialist food stores, including butchers and bakers, rebounded from weak July sales, while overall food store volumes also improved.

• Non-store retailing (mainly online) increased again, marking a seventh straight monthly rise, contributing positively to growth.

• Automotive fuel and computer/telecoms equipment sales fell over the three-month period, offsetting some gains in clothing and non-store retailing.

• Online spending values rose +0.4% MoM and +4.7% YoY in August, with 3Mo3M growth at +2.0% and 3MoY growth at +3.4%. The online share of retail sales edged down slightly to 27.6% from 27.7% in July.

UK retail sales volumes rose +0.6% MoM in July 2025 (after +0.3% in June), but fell -0.6% on a 3Mo3M basis, reflecting softer demand earlier in the period. On an annual basis, sales volumes were still up +1.1% YoY.

• Sales volumes from non-store retailers (mainly online) rose +2.5% MoM, reaching their highest level since Feb 2022, supported by good weather and the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 tournament.
• Clothing store sales volumes increased +2.5% MoM and +5.5% YoY, the strongest annual rise since Jan 2023, with volumes at their highest since Jun 2023.
• Food (-0.2% MoM) and department store (-1.5% MoM) sales were the only segments that saw declines. Other non-food sales and household goods sales saw softer gains of 0.2% MoM and 0.5% MoM, respectively.
• Food, sports equipment, games and toys, and household goods stores all declined over the 3Mo3M period, driving the overall quarterly fall.
• Online spending values rose +2.0% MoM and +3.7% YoY in July, marking a sixth consecutive monthly gain; online share of retail sales increased from 27.5% in June to 27.8% in July.
• Compared with pre-pandemic Feb 2020 levels, retail sales volumes remained -2.2% lower, underscoring the long-term softness in demand.

UK retail sales volumes rose 0.9% MoM and 1.7% YoY in June 2025, rebounding from a -2.8% MoM drop in May, with warm weather and promotions driving broad-based improvement across sectors.

• Food store sales volumes increased 0.7% MoM after a -5.4% decline in May, led by supermarket beverage sales.
• Non-store retailing (mostly online) rose 1.7% MoM to the highest level since February 2022; online spending values rose 2.3% MoM and 4.5% YoY.
• Automotive fuel volumes jumped 2.8% MoM, the strongest monthly gain since May 2024.
• Non-food store sales volumes edged up 0.2% MoM, with strength in department and clothing stores offset by weakness in household goods and secondhand retailers.
• The online sales share rose to 27.8% in June from 27.4% in May, while total spending (online + in-store) rose 1.1% MoM.