Retail sales pick up in January
UK retail sales increased last month after shoppers who held off spending at Christmas waited for the January sales.
According to figures from the British Retail Consortium, total retail sales rose by 2.7% year-on-year against growth of 2.6% in January 2025.
Subscribe to TRBFood sales climbed by 3.8% as grocery retail product launches, particularly those focused on health, led shoppers to try something new.
Meanwhile, non-food sales increased by 1.7% in January as online non-food sales edged up 1.3%. In-store non-food sales increased by 2% year-on-year.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive at the British Retail Consortium, said: “A drab December gave way to a brighter January as retail sales picked up pace.
“Many shoppers had held off Christmas spending and waited for the January sales, with the start of the new year showing the strongest growth.
“And bargain hunting was not limited to online, with in-store sales showing the highest growth in over six months.”
