PRESS RELEASE: Retail sales, Great Britain: January 2026 - ONS

Retail sales rose in the three months to January 2026, according to our first estimate.

The quantity of goods bought (volume) in retail sales is estimated to have risen by 0.1% in the three months to January 2026, compared with the three months to October 2025. The rise was because of better automotive fuel sales over the three months to January 2026, and a good start to the year for non-food stores, which was only partly offset by falls in supermarkets.

Retail sales volumes are estimated to have risen by 1.8% in January 2026, following a rise of 0.4% in December 2025 (unrevised from our previous publication) and a fall of 0.4% in November 2025 (revised down from a 0.1% fall in our previous publication). Growth in January 2026 was partly because of artwork and antiques sales, alongside continued strong sales from online jewellers.

Sales volumes rose 0.1% over the three months to January 2026. This was partly because of automotive fuel sales, which fell in October 2025, but rebounded in November. Non-food stores (the total of department, clothing, household, and other non-food stores) also rose over the three months to January. This was partly because of strong sales volumes in commercial art galleries during January 2026. Computer and telecoms retailers also saw a sustained strong performance since September 2025. Household goods stores also grew, which retailers attributed to good January seasonal sales for furniture, and there was a strong November 2025 period for hardware stores. This was partly offset by falls in supermarkets and department stores.

Sales volumes rose 1.8% over the month to January 2026. Other non-food stores had a good month as auctions of items such as artwork and antiques drove volumes. Mail order retailers, which are predominantly online, experienced a boost from retailers selling sports supplements, as well as continued strong sales volumes by online jewellers. Comments from jewellers reported that demand had hit unprecedented levels.

Office for National Statistics (ONS), released 20 February 2026, ONS website, statistical bulletin, Retail sales, Great Britain: January 2026

www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/retailindustry/bulletins/retailsales/january2026