UK retail sales volumes rose 1.2% month-on-month in May 2026, rebounding from a downwardly revised 1.0% decline in April and exceeding market expectations of a 0.5% increase. This marked the best performance in four months, driven by a 6.1% jump in non-store retail sales, the largest increase since February 2025, and lifting volumes to their highest level since January 2022. Retailers attributed the gain to promotional campaigns and warmer weather, which boosted demand for seasonal products such as outdoor furniture and fans. Non-food stores also posted solid growth, with department stores benefiting from the same factors. Meanwhile, online sales rose by 3.3%. On a yearly basis, retail trade advanced 3.2%, the strongest reading since January, picking up from 0.1% in April and easily beating forecasts of 1.9% growth. On a three-month basis, retail sales rose 0.4% compared with the three months to February. source: Office for National Statistics

Retail Sales in the United Kingdom increased 1.20 percent in May of 2026 over the previous month. Retail Sales MoM in the United Kingdom averaged 0.17 percent from 1996 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 13.60 percent in May of 2020 and a record low of -18.00 percent in April of 2020. This page 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. United Kingdom Retail Sales MoM - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on July of 2026.

Retail Sales in the United Kingdom increased 1.20 percent in May of 2026 over the previous month. Retail Sales MoM in the United Kingdom is expected to be 0.30 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the United Kingdom Retail Sales MoM is projected to trend around 0.50 percent in 2027 and 0.40 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-05-22 06:00 AM
Retail Sales MoM
Apr -1.3% 0.6% -0.6% -0.3%
2026-06-19 06:00 AM
Retail Sales MoM
May 1.2% -1% 0.5% 0.5%
2026-07-24 06:00 AM
Retail Sales MoM
Jun 1.2% 0.3%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Consumer Spending 419235.00 416831.00 GBP Million Mar 2026
Disposable Personal Income 438073.00 441556.00 GBP Million Mar 2026
Personal Savings 8.90 9.60 percent Mar 2026
Retail Sales ex Fuel MoM 1.20 -0.10 percent May 2026
Retail Sales MoM 1.20 -1.00 percent May 2026
Retail Sales YoY 3.20 0.10 percent May 2026


United Kingdom Retail Sales MoM
In the United Kingdom, the Retail sales report provides an aggregated measure of sales of retail goods and services over a specific time period. In the United Kingdom, Retail sales are seasonal, volatile and relatively important to the overall economy.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
1.20 -1.00 13.60 -18.00 1996 - 2026 percent Monthly
Constant Prices, SA

News Stream
UK Retail Sales Rebound More Than Expected
UK retail sales volumes rose 1.2% month-on-month in May 2026, rebounding from a downwardly revised 1.0% decline in April and exceeding market expectations of a 0.5% increase. This marked the best performance in four months, driven by a 6.1% jump in non-store retail sales, the largest increase since February 2025, and lifting volumes to their highest level since January 2022. Retailers attributed the gain to promotional campaigns and warmer weather, which boosted demand for seasonal products such as outdoor furniture and fans. Non-food stores also posted solid growth, with department stores benefiting from the same factors. Meanwhile, online sales rose by 3.3%. On a yearly basis, retail trade advanced 3.2%, the strongest reading since January, picking up from 0.1% in April and easily beating forecasts of 1.9% growth. On a three-month basis, retail sales rose 0.4% compared with the three months to February.
2026-06-19
UK Retail Sales Drop at Fastest Pace in Nearly a Year
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.
2026-05-22
UK Retail Sales Rise More Than Expected
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.
2026-04-24