Retail sales volumes rise 1.8% in January

UK retail sales volumes rose by 1.8% in January 2026, up from a rise of 0.4% in December, marking the largest monthly growth since May 2024, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). 

The quantity of goods bought in the three months to January 2026 rose by 0.1% compared with the previous three-month period. This growth was driven by automotive fuel sales and a strong performance in the non-food sector.

Non-food store volumes were supported by art and antique sales and growth in the furniture sector following seasonal sales. Online jewellers and mail order retailers selling sports supplements also contributed to the monthly rise.

Growth was partially offset by falling sales in supermarkets and department stores. Despite the monthly increase, retail volumes in January 2026 remained flat at 0% when compared with pre-pandemic levels in February 2020.

Online spending values rose by 1.3% in January 2026, a 14.7% increase compared with the same month in 2025. This was the largest year-on-year rise in online sales since April 2021.

Total spending, including in-store and online, rose by 1.6% over the month. However, the proportion of sales made online fell slightly to 28.2% in January 2026, down from 28.3% in December 2025.

Met Office data indicated that the UK experienced above average rainfall during the month. Data from the retail footfall dataset showed a decline in physical store visits throughout January 2026.

ONS chief economist Grant Fitzner said: “Retail sales rose slightly in the latest three months, as sales continued to pick up in the new year following a weak November.

“Motor fuel sales increased a little across the period, while sales of art works, tech retailers and furniture stores also performed well. These were partially offset by falls in supermarket sales.”