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. source: Confederation of British Industry

Cbi Distributive Trades in the United Kingdom decreased to -43 Net Balance in February from -17 Net Balance in January of 2026. Cbi Distributive Trades in the United Kingdom averaged 14.44 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 -55.00 Net Balance in December of 2008. 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 February of 2026.

Cbi Distributive Trades in the United Kingdom decreased to -43 Net Balance in February from -17 Net Balance in January of 2026. Cbi Distributive Trades in the United Kingdom is expected to be -16.00 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
2026-01-22 11:00 AM
CBI Distributive Trades
Jan -17 -44 -35 -57
2026-02-24 11:00 AM
CBI Distributive Trades
Feb -43 -17 -16 -17
2026-03-25 11:00 AM
CBI Distributive Trades
Mar -43 -16


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Bank Lending Rate 8.61 8.63 percent Dec 2025
CBI Distributive Trades -43.00 -17.00 Net Balance Feb 2026
GfK Consumer Confidence -16.00 -17.00 points Jan 2026
BoE Consumer Credit 1524.00 2143.00 GBP Million Dec 2025
Consumer Spending 418232.00 417589.00 GBP Million Dec 2025
Disposable Personal Income 439388.00 442292.00 GBP Million Sep 2025
Gasoline Prices 1.77 1.84 USD/Liter Jan 2026
Households Debt to GDP 74.30 74.90 percent of GDP Jun 2025
Net Lending to Individuals MoM 6126.00 6737.00 GBP Million Dec 2025
Personal Savings 9.50 10.20 percent Sep 2025
Retail Sales ex Fuel MoM 2.00 0.30 percent Jan 2026
Retail Sales MoM 1.80 0.40 percent Jan 2026
Retail Sales YoY 4.50 1.90 percent Jan 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
-43.00 -17.00 72.00 -55.00 1983 - 2026 Net Balance Monthly
NSA

News Stream
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
UK Retail Downturn Eases, but Relief Seen as Brief
The CBI retail sales balance improved to -17 in January 2026 from -44 in December, the strongest reading since April 2025 and well above expectations of -35. The latest survey suggests the severe slowdown seen across UK retailers has moderated, although conditions remain challenging overall. Retailers’ outlook for the month ahead also became less negative, with the expectations balance rising to -30 from -57. Despite the improvement, the CBI cautioned that the rebound is unlikely to last, with sales projected to weaken again next month. The group said low consumer confidence and cautious spending habits continue to restrain demand.
2026-01-22
UK Retail Sales Fall to 6-Month Low: CBI
The CBI’s retail sales balance fell to a six-month low of -44 in December 2025 from -32 in November, below market expectations of -30. Retail sales volumes declined at the fastest pace in six months, extending a prolonged downturn that has persisted since mid-2023, with conditions expected to worsen further in January as the balance drops to -57, the weakest outlook since March 2021. Sales were widely judged to be poor for the time of year, underscoring a disappointing Christmas trading period amid fragile consumer confidence. Online sales also slipped back into contraction after two months of growth, while wholesale sales fell at their steepest rate since June 2020. Across the broader distribution sector, including retail, wholesale and motor trades, sales volumes recorded their sharpest decline in more than five years. The survey points to a bleak start to 2026, with firms citing weak demand and high operating costs.
2025-12-19