In August 2025, internet sales accounted for 26.2 percent of all retail sales in Great Britain. Over the considered period, food online sales did not go over 10 percent of total retail sales.

In Great Britain, internet sales accounted for 26.8 percent of all retailing sales, as data from March 2025 showed. In February 2021, the share of online sales as a proportion of total retail reached its peak at 37.5 percent.

In the United Kingdom, retail sales tend to peak during the last month of the year, holiday shopping being the likeliest culprit. In December 2024, the sales value of retailing in the UK amounted to approximately 60 billion British pounds. Meanwhile, in July 2025, the sales value amounted to a much lower 40 billion pounds. Retail turnover on the climb Running parallel to this, the turnover of retail trade in the UK made significant strides. Over the past 10 years, UK retail businesses consistently generated improved turnover figures, reaching over 508 billion British pounds by 2023. Online is driving retail With the increased penetration of online shopping in consumer lives, business strategies of retailers are changing. While online marketplaces are becoming regular staples of everyday life, high street retailers too are setting up online businesses to support their store sales. In the UK, the share of online sales in all retailing increased to over 26 percent by early 2025.

In 2025, a survey carried out among *** retailers based in the United Kingdom (UK) revealed that ** percent of businesses implemented generative AI tools over the 12 months prior to the survey. Another ** percent of surveyed professionals stated they used artificial intelligence to improve the customer experience.

View monthly updates and historical trends for UK Retail Sales: Household Goods YoY. from United Kingdom. Source: Office for National Statistics. Track ec…

View monthly updates and historical trends for UK Retail Sales: Textiles, Clothing, and Footwear MoM. from United Kingdom. Source: Office for National Sta…

In 2021, there were approximately ************ people employed by businesses in the retail sector in the United Kingdom, with *********** people employed in businesses that employed *** or more people.

Total sales and average weekly spending estimates for each retail sector in Great Britain in thousands of pounds.

The total value of retail sales, including fuel, reached a peak value of approximately 515 billion British pounds in 2024. For the retail industry excluding fuel sales, this figure similarly indicated a record value that year.   UK retail business as usual   Generally, retail sales in the UK displayed steady growth with the exception of 2009, when annual sales experienced a noticeable drop. Forecasts project that both store-based and e-commerce sales will continue their steep increase by 2026, with online sales reaching over 200 billion British pounds by that period.    Holiday spending: industry’s best friend   When we look at the monthly breakdown of retail sales value, an unmistakably clear picture of rigorous holiday spending greets us. December is the month when retail has its best days. This was particularly true in December 2024, when the sales value of retail in Great Britain was recorded at over 60 billion British pounds.

View monthly updates and historical trends for UK Retail Sales: Household Goods MoM. from United Kingdom. Source: Office for National Statistics. Track ec…

View monthly updates and historical trends for UK Retail Sales excluding Fuel YoY. from United Kingdom. Source: Office for National Statistics. Track econ…

Graph and download economic data for Sales: Retail Trade: Total Retail Trade: Volume for United Kingdom (SLRTTO01GBA657S) from 1958 to 2024 about United Kingdom, retail trade, sales, and retail.

Graph and download economic data for Sales: Retail Trade: Total Retail Trade: Volume for United Kingdom (GBRSLRTTO01GYSAM) from Jan 1958 to Jul 2025 about United Kingdom, trade, retail trade, sales, and retail.

The United Kingdom Hardware Stores Retail Market Report is Segmented by Type (Door Hardware, Building Materials, Kitchen and Toilet Products, and Other Product Types). by Distribution Channels (Offline and Online). The Report Offers the Market Size and Forecasts for the United Kingdom Hardware Stores Retail Market in Value (USD) for all the Above Segments.

Annual retail business turnover, retail turnover and commodities, from the Annual Business Survey. Three-digit Standard Industrial Classification 2007 group.

According to the data published by the Office for National Statistics in August 2025, online sales of department stores showed a yearly increase of 12.1 percent. Stores selling household goods also saw a positive change of 9.5 percent.

Internet sales in Great Britain by store type, month and year.

An indicator of Economic Growth in the Scottish Retail sector. Source agency: Scottish Government Designation: National Statistics Language: English Alternative title: Scottish Retail Sales Index

Key information about European Union Retail Sales Growth

• European Union Retail Sales grew 2.0 % YoY in Jan 2025, compared with a 2.6 % increase in the previous month.
• EU Retail Sales Growth YoY data is updated monthly, available from Jan 2000 to Jan 2025, with an average growth rate of 1.6 %.
• The data reached an all-time high of 20.0 % in Apr 2021 and a record low of -15.3 % in Apr 2020.

CEIC calculates monthly Retail Sales: Excl. Motor Vehicles Growth from monthly Retail Trade Index. Eurostat provides Retail Trade Index with base 2021=100. Retail Sales exclude Automotive Fuels. European Union stands for EU27 excluding UK. Retail Sales: Excl. Motor Vehicles Growth prior to January 2001 is calculated from Retail Sales: Excl. Motor Vehicles with base 2015=100.

As of the second quarter of 2025, there were approximately *****million men employed in the wholesale and retail sector in the UK, compared with *****million women.