Retail Sales in the United Kingdom decreased 2.70 percent in May of 2025 over the previous month. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - United Kingdom Retail Sales MoM - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

This statistic shows the percentage change in the quantity of goods bought (retail sales volume) in Great Britain, from January 2017 to August 2023. The volume of all retail sales since April 2022 to August 2023 saw a decline, with a drop of 0.4 percent reported in the most recent period. The decline in retail sales is seen as an impact of the cost of living crisis and inflation in the UK and elsewhere in world.

Key information about United Kingdom Retail Sales Growth

• United Kingdom Retail Sales dropped 2.1 % YoY in May 2023, compared with a 3.3 % decrease in the previous month.
• UK Retail Sales Growth YoY data is updated monthly, available from Jan 1997 to May 2023, with an average growth rate of 2.4 %.
• The data reached an all-time high of 40.9 % in Apr 2021 and a record low of -22.9 % in Apr 2020.
• In the latest reports, Car Sales of UK recorded 1,943,572.0 units in Dec 2022, representing a drop of 5.1 %.

Retail Sales in the United Kingdom decreased 1.30 percent in May of 2025 over the same month in the previous year. This dataset provides - United Kingdom Retail Sales YoY - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Online retail spending in the United Kingdom (UK) never ceased to increase from 2011 to 2021. In 2021, online retail sales amounted to approximately *** billion British pounds. In 2022, inflation contributed to a sharp decline of online retail sales plummeting **** percent. As a result, online retail sales had a value of *** billion British pounds that year. In 2023, online retail spending stood at *** billion British pounds.

Since 2010, retail internet sales have shown a positive trend in Great Britain. However, 2022 represented an exception, as online retail sales declined by 9.8 percent that year. In 2024, internet sales increased again by 8.7 percent.

Retail Sales Ex Fuel in the United Kingdom decreased to -2.80 percent in May from 1.40 percent in April of 2025. This dataset provides - United Kingdom Retail Sales Ex Fuel MoM- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Retail sales index in the United Kingdom, May, 2025 The most recent value is 97.3 index points as of May 2025, a decline compared to the previous value of 99.9 index points. Historically, the average for the United Kingdom from January 1996 to May 2025 is 82.48 index points. The minimum of 55.3 index points was recorded in January 1996, while the maximum of 109.1 index points was reached in April 2021. | TheGlobalEconomy.com

The coronavirus pandemic has caused massive shocks to the global economy and dampened previously projected growth scenarios worldwide. According to a recent study, clothing and footwear retail was predicted to suffer a 25.8 percent decline annually in 2020. However, with the diminishing of the impact of the pandemic, in 2021 the sector is forecast to grow by 28.7 percent. In total terms, the retail industry is expected to grow by 3.9 percent, as opposed to the 3.6 percent decline in 2020. For further information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, please visit our dedicated Fact and Figures page.

Retail sales Y-on-Y in the United Kingdom, May, 2025 The most recent value is -1.22 percent as of May 2025, a decline compared to the previous value of 4.94 percent. Historically, the average for the United Kingdom from January 1997 to May 2025 is 1.98 percent. The minimum of -22.3 percent was recorded in April 2020, while the maximum of 40.41 percent was reached in April 2021. | TheGlobalEconomy.com

This statistic presents the percentage growth in like-for-like sales in high street stores in the United Kingdom (UK) from January 2017 to December 2024. Over the time period observed, the biggest decline in like-for-like high street sales was seen in early 2020, when lockdown measures against the spread of the coronavirus hit the UK. Since the easing of restrictions around April 2021, high street sales on a like-for-like basis saw major improvements, jumping up by over *** percent when compared to the previous year, when many countries worldwide had introduced strict lockdown measures. Most recently, in December 2024, like-for-like sales increased by *** percent in UK high streets.

Value and volume of retail sales broken down by size of business

United Kingdom Retail Sales Index: Value: Non Store Retail and Repair (NS) data was reported at 100.200 1995=100 in Aug 2003. This records a decrease from the previous number of 108.000 1995=100 for Jul 2003. United Kingdom Retail Sales Index: Value: Non Store Retail and Repair (NS) data is updated monthly, averaging 102.250 1995=100 from Jan 1986 (Median) to Aug 2003, with 212 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 147.400 1995=100 in Nov 2001 and a record low of 71.100 1995=100 in Feb 1986. United Kingdom Retail Sales Index: Value: Non Store Retail and Repair (NS) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office for National Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s UK – Table UK.H008: Retail Sales Index: Value: 1995=100.

In December 2020, an average of 4.22 billion British pounds (GBP) worth of goods were purchased in food stores across Great Britain per week. This represented a record amount spent on food purchases, but was also expected as Christmas season typically means increased food sales across retail stores. As of October 2024, average weekly sales stood at around 3.3 billion British pounds. For data concerning the percentage change in the value of sales in food stores, please see the following.
A shopping rhythm The overall structure of yearly spending remained the same during the period in consideration. January, coinciding with the Veganuary campaign which encourages people to eat vegan as an alternative dietary choice in January, sees a sharp drop after a peak spending during the month of December. After January a few months see an increase leading to an early summer high. After a drop in early autumn November sees the prelude to increased Christmas spending. Grocery market in the United Kingdom The overall value of the UK grocery retail market was estimated to amount to 216.8 billion British pounds in 2022. Of this, about 166.3 billion sales were made in predominantly food stores in 2022. Supermarkets had the highest share of grocery sales in the UK.

Cbi Distributive Trades in the United Kingdom decreased to -46 Net Balance in June from -27 Net Balance in May of 2025. This dataset provides - United Kingdom CBI Distributive Trades- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

United Kingdom Retail Sales Index: Value: Non Food Stores (NF) data was reported at 135.600 1995=100 in Aug 2003. This records a decrease from the previous number of 141.900 1995=100 for Jul 2003. United Kingdom Retail Sales Index: Value: Non Food Stores (NF) data is updated monthly, averaging 95.250 1995=100 from Jan 1986 (Median) to Aug 2003, with 212 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 207.800 1995=100 in Dec 2002 and a record low of 49.100 1995=100 in Feb 1986. United Kingdom Retail Sales Index: Value: Non Food Stores (NF) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office for National Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s UK – Table UK.H008: Retail Sales Index: Value: 1995=100.

United Kingdom Retail Sales Index: Value: NF: Others: Second Hand Goods Stores data was reported at 127.000 1995=100 in Jul 2003. This records a decrease from the previous number of 146.000 1995=100 for Jun 2003. United Kingdom Retail Sales Index: Value: NF: Others: Second Hand Goods Stores data is updated monthly, averaging 88.000 1995=100 from Jan 1986 (Median) to Jul 2003, with 211 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 159.000 1995=100 in Nov 2001 and a record low of 45.000 1995=100 in May 1986. United Kingdom Retail Sales Index: Value: NF: Others: Second Hand Goods Stores data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office for National Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s UK – Table UK.H008: Retail Sales Index: Value: 1995=100.

According to the data published by the Office for National Statistics in March 2025, online sales of household goods' stores showed a yearly decline, at less 5.2 percent. Textile clothing and footwear stores followed with a positive change of 6.3.

According to a recent forecast on retail sales growth in the United Kingdom (UK) in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, in 2021 online sales is forecast to constitute **** of all retail sales. For food retail, in 2021 an average of *** percent decline is projected both in online and offline retail, whereas non-food sales in physical stores are predicted to grow by **** percent.

BRC Retail Sales Monitor YoY in the United Kingdom increased to 2.70 percent in June from 0.60 percent in May of 2025. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for the United Kingdom BRC Retail Sales Monitor YoY.