The CBI retail sales balance fell to -55 in September 2026 from -48 in August, the lowest in five months and missing market forecasts of -50. Retailers reported a sharper annual decline in sales, with sales judged increasingly poor for the time of year as weak consumer sentiment weighed on demand. Online retail sales dropped to -68 from -43, the fastest decline since October 2023. Retail orders placed with suppliers also plunged to -62 from -29, marking the steepest fall since the survey began in 1983, suggesting retailers are responding to weaker demand by cutting purchases. Total distribution sales, including wholesale and motor trades, declined faster, with the balance falling to -36 from -27. Looking ahead, retailers expect sales to fall at a slower but still rapid pace in October, while online sales and supplier orders are forecast to remain deeply negative. Stock levels relative to expected sales remained below their long-run average. source: Confederation of British Industry

Cbi Distributive Trades in the United Kingdom decreased to -55 Net Balance in September from -48 Net Balance in August of 2026. Cbi Distributive Trades in the United Kingdom averaged 13.57 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 October of 2026.

Cbi Distributive Trades in the United Kingdom decreased to -55 Net Balance in September from -48 Net Balance in August of 2026. Cbi Distributive Trades in the United Kingdom is expected to be -49.00 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
2026-08-26 10:00 AM
CBI Distributive Trades
Aug -48 -26 -24 -21
2026-09-24 10:00 AM
CBI Distributive Trades
Sep -55 -48 -50 -49
2026-10-26 11:00 AM
CBI Distributive Trades
Oct -55 -50


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Bank Lending Rate 9.07 9.07 percent Aug 2026
CBI Distributive Trades -55.00 -48.00 Net Balance Sep 2026
GfK Consumer Confidence -13.00 -14.00 points Sep 2026
BoE Consumer Credit 2464.00 2097.00 GBP Million Aug 2026
Consumer Spending 436418.00 434933.00 GBP Million Jun 2026
Disposable Personal Income 457927.00 453116.00 GBP Million Jun 2026
Gasoline Prices 2.30 2.19 USD/Liter Sep 2026
Households Debt to GDP 72.60 73.50 percent of GDP Mar 2026
Net Lending to Individuals MoM 6874.00 6300.00 GBP Million Aug 2026
Personal Savings 8.80 8.60 percent Jun 2026
Retail Sales ex Fuel MoM 0.60 -0.90 percent Aug 2026
Retail Sales MoM 0.50 -0.50 percent Aug 2026
Retail Sales YoY 2.40 1.20 percent Aug 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
-55.00 -48.00 72.00 -68.00 1983 - 2026 Net Balance Monthly
NSA

News Stream
UK Retail Sales Worse than Expected: CBI
The CBI retail sales balance fell to -55 in September 2026 from -48 in August, the lowest in five months and missing market forecasts of -50. Retailers reported a sharper annual decline in sales, with sales judged increasingly poor for the time of year as weak consumer sentiment weighed on demand. Online retail sales dropped to -68 from -43, the fastest decline since October 2023. Retail orders placed with suppliers also plunged to -62 from -29, marking the steepest fall since the survey began in 1983, suggesting retailers are responding to weaker demand by cutting purchases. Total distribution sales, including wholesale and motor trades, declined faster, with the balance falling to -36 from -27. Looking ahead, retailers expect sales to fall at a slower but still rapid pace in October, while online sales and supplier orders are forecast to remain deeply negative. Stock levels relative to expected sales remained below their long-run average.
2026-09-24
UK Retail Activity Slumps in August: CBI
The CBI’s headline sales balance fell to -48 in August 2026 from -26 in July, well below market expectations of -24. Retailers reported significantly lower sales volumes, while the broader distribution sector also faced subdued trading conditions. The deterioration weighed on hiring and investment plans, although retailers expect some improvement in September, with sales expectations rising to -22, the strongest outlook since March. Sales for the time of year also declined, reaching -26 from -18 in July. The CBI’s quarterly business situation balance weakened to -29 from -15 in May, highlighting continued pressure on the sector. However, investment intentions improved considerably to -16 from -52 in May, their strongest level since February 2024. Employment trends also showed some resilience, with retailers cutting jobs at the slowest pace since November 2025.
2026-08-26
UK Retail Sales Fall The Least Since January
The CBI retail sales balance improved to -26 in July 2026 from -54 in June, well above market expectations of -45, signaling the smallest decline in UK retail sales in six months. Although sales remained lower than a year earlier, retailers said the pace of the downturn had eased, while sales for the time of year were judged to be below seasonal norms by the smallest margin since February. The CBI said the sector continues to face headwinds from weak consumer confidence and elevated cost pressures, leaving the outlook subdued. Looking ahead, retailers' expectations for August improved to -26 from -45, the strongest reading since March. The CBI urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham's government to support high-street retailers through lower property taxes, address rising labour costs, and preserve hiring flexibility as employment reforms are finalized. Meanwhile, wholesalers reported broadly unchanged sales volumes for the first time in more than two years.
2026-07-27