UK Retail Sales Rise Above Forecasts

UK retail sales volumes dropped 1.3% month-on-month in April 2026, worse than expectations of a 0.6% fall and reversing a revised 0.6% rise in March. This marked the biggest fall since May 2025, mainly due to a 10.2% slump in fuel sales, the sharpest decline since November 2020, as motorists made fewer journeys and delayed refuelling amid higher prices. This followed a jump in the previous month when many consumers had stocked up on fuel following the start of the Middle East conflict. Excluding automotive fuel, retail trade decreased 0.4%. Sales at non-food stores went down 1.0%, with clothing store sales falling 2.4% to their lowest level since June 2025, as retailers cited volatile weather conditions, weaker demand, and heightened price sensitivity. Non-store retailers also reported reduced sales, with unpredictable weather weighing on seasonal campaigns. On a yearly basis, retail sales were unchanged, compared with forecasts of a 1.3% increase and a revised 1.4% gain in March.

UK retail sales volumes rose 0.7% month-on-month in March 2026, rebounding from a revised 0.6% drop in February and exceeding expectations of a 0.2% rise. The recovery was largely supported by increased fuel purchases, with retailers noting that motorists were stocking up amid the war in the Middle East. Excluding automotive fuel, retail trade rose 0.2%. Meanwhile, non-food stores increased 0.7%, led by stronger clothing sales amid improved weather. Auction houses and computer and telecom retailers also performed well, supported by new product launches, while non-store retailers rose on spring promotions and new releases, with volumes reaching their highest level since February 2022. In contrast, commercial art galleries declined after strong gains in January and February. On a yearly basis, retail sales rose 1.7%, slightly easing from a 1.8% increase in February but still exceeding forecasts of a 1.3% gain.

UK retail sales volumes fell 0.4% month-on-month in February 2026, following an upwardly revised 2% jump in January, but smaller than the expected 0.7% decline. This marked the first monthly drop in three months, as sales at supermarkets and household goods stores fell, with retailers citing wet weather and above-average rainfall as dampening demand. Non-store retailers, mainly online, also saw a slight decline, as shoppers reportedly brought forward purchases to January to take advantage of seasonal discounts. The retail dip comes ahead of broader economic pressures, including rising energy costs and geopolitical uncertainty. On an annual basis, retail volumes rose 2.5%, down from January’s 4.8% surge, while sales over the three months to February increased 0.7% compared with the previous period.