The CBI retail sales balance improved to -46 in May 2026 from -68 in April, beating market expectations of -60, with retailers expecting a further moderation to -36 next month. Sales remained below seasonal norms and demand stayed weak, while retail sentiment remained negative for a second straight year despite a slower deterioration than in previous quarters. Retail selling price inflation eased to its slowest pace since February 2025, with the balance falling to 28 from 41. Retailers also signalled further cuts to investment and hiring plans, with capital expenditure expectations falling to their weakest level since February 2025. Employment in the sector continued to decline, although at a slower pace. CBI economist Charlotte Dendy said the slowdown in price growth highlights weak consumer demand and warned that firms continue to face pressure from high operating costs, while calling for business rates reform, lower energy costs and reduced regulatory burdens to support the sector. source: Confederation of British Industry

Cbi Distributive Trades in the United Kingdom increased to -46 Net Balance in May from -68 Net Balance in April of 2026. Cbi Distributive Trades in the United Kingdom averaged 14.03 Net Balance from 1983 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 72.00 Net Balance in July of 1984 and a record low of -68.00 Net Balance in April of 2026. This page provides - United Kingdom CBI Distributive Trades- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. United Kingdom CBI Distributive Trades - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on June of 2026.

Cbi Distributive Trades in the United Kingdom increased to -46 Net Balance in May from -68 Net Balance in April of 2026. Cbi Distributive Trades in the United Kingdom is expected to be -36.00 Net Balance by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the United Kingdom CBI Distributive Trades is projected to trend around 8.00 Net Balance in 2027 and 12.00 Net Balance in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-04-27 10:00 AM
CBI Distributive Trades
Apr -68 -52 -48 -47
2026-05-26 10:00 AM
CBI Distributive Trades
May -46 -68 -60 -60
2026-06-26 10:00 AM
CBI Distributive Trades
Jun -46 -36


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Bank Lending Rate 8.98 9.00 percent Apr 2026
CBI Distributive Trades -46.00 -68.00 Net Balance May 2026
GfK Consumer Confidence -23.00 -25.00 points May 2026
BoE Consumer Credit 1859.00 1904.00 GBP Million Apr 2026
Consumer Spending 419202.00 416740.00 GBP Million Mar 2026
Disposable Personal Income 442628.00 436779.00 GBP Million Dec 2025
Gasoline Prices 2.14 2.13 USD/Liter May 2026
Households Debt to GDP 73.90 73.90 percent of GDP Sep 2025
Net Lending to Individuals MoM 6227.00 8738.00 GBP Million Apr 2026
Personal Savings 9.90 9.10 percent Dec 2025
Retail Sales ex Fuel MoM -0.40 0.10 percent Apr 2026
Retail Sales MoM -1.30 0.60 percent Apr 2026
Retail Sales YoY 0.00 1.40 percent Apr 2026


United Kingdom CBI Distributive Trades
The Confederation of British Industry's (CBI) monthly retail sales balance is a gauge of retail sales versus a year ago. The reading is compiled from a survey of about 150 retail and wholesale companies. It includes measures of sales activity across the distributive trades. It is a leading indicator of consumer spending. The figure is the difference between the percentage of retailers reporting an increase in sales and those reporting a decrease.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
-46.00 -68.00 72.00 -68.00 1983 - 2026 Net Balance Monthly
NSA

News Stream
UK Retail Downturn Eases in May
The CBI retail sales balance improved to -46 in May 2026 from -68 in April, beating market expectations of -60, with retailers expecting a further moderation to -36 next month. Sales remained below seasonal norms and demand stayed weak, while retail sentiment remained negative for a second straight year despite a slower deterioration than in previous quarters. Retail selling price inflation eased to its slowest pace since February 2025, with the balance falling to 28 from 41. Retailers also signalled further cuts to investment and hiring plans, with capital expenditure expectations falling to their weakest level since February 2025. Employment in the sector continued to decline, although at a slower pace. CBI economist Charlotte Dendy said the slowdown in price growth highlights weak consumer demand and warned that firms continue to face pressure from high operating costs, while calling for business rates reform, lower energy costs and reduced regulatory burdens to support the sector.
2026-05-26
UK Retail Sales Plunge to Historic Low: CBI
The CBI's monthly retail sales volume measure tumbled to –68 in April 2026, a 16-point drop and the lowest reading since the series began in 1983. The figure, far worse than the expected –48, marks the steepest year-over-year decline in retail activity in over four decades, as the escalating Iran war intensifies household inflation concerns. The downturn extended beyond physical stores, with online retail sales volumes crashing at the fastest pace since January 2024 (–51 from –11), while wholesale sales volumes also contracted sharply (–32 from –31). Outlook for May has also deteriorated sharply, with expectations falling to –60 from –49, the most pessimistic forecast since March 2021 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2026-04-27
UK Retail Sales Fall Sharply: CBI
The CBI retail sales balance fell to -43 in February 2026 from -17 in January and well below market expectations of -16. Retail sales volumes have been weakening since mid-2023, and February saw a sharp decline, though the pace of contraction is expected to slow next month. Retailers reported sales for the season as “poor” and anticipate continued underperformance, reflecting persistently weak demand. Sentiment remains near a 17-year low, prompting firms to scale back investment and reduce headcount, with employment falling at the fastest rate since May 2023. Despite this, retail selling prices grew in line with long-term averages, while online retail sales surged at the fastest rate since April 2021. Orders to suppliers and stock levels eased, suggesting cautious inventory management. Overall, the sector faces ongoing pressure from soft demand and rising costs, even as online channels partially offset declines.
2026-02-24