UK retail sales volumes rose 1.8 per cent in January – the strongest monthly increase since May 2024 – as shoppers flocked to non‑food retailers and online jewellers reported “unprecedented” demand, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics.

This followed a 0.4 per cent rise in December 2025 and a revised 0.4 per cent fall in November 2025. Over the three months to January 2026, sales volumes edged up by 0.1 per cent compared with the three months to October 2025.

The ONS said the three‑month improvement was partly driven by automotive fuel sales, which declined in October 2025 but rebounded in November, as well as a “good start to the year” for non‑food stores. Non‑food retailers – including department, clothing, household and other non‑food stores – reported stronger trade, with commercial art galleries seeing particularly robust sales volumes in January.

Computer and telecoms retailers continued the sustained strong performance seen since September 2025, while household goods stores benefited from January seasonal sales for furniture and a solid November for hardware stores. These gains were partly offset by falling sales in supermarkets and department stores.

January’s 1.8 per cent monthly rise in sales volumes was underpinned by a strong showing from “other non‑food” retailers. Auctions of items such as artwork and antiques boosted volumes, while mail order retailers – predominantly online – recorded higher demand for sports supplements. Online jewellers continued to enjoy strong growth, with some reporting that demand had reached “unprecedented” levels, the ONS said.

Online spending values increased by 1.3 per cent month‑on‑month in January and by 14.7 per cent year‑on‑year – the sharpest annual rise since April 2021 – as online sales had fallen on both the month and the year in January 2025. However, because overall consumer spending climbed by 1.6 per cent in January, the share of retail sales made online dipped slightly from 28.3 per cent in December 2025 to 28.2 per cent in January 2026.

The ONS noted that January’s above‑average rainfall coincided with lower footfall, potentially supporting stronger online demand.

Commenting on the figures Ian Bendelow, retail sales lead at the British Retail Consortium said it was encouraging to see categories such as clothing, furniture and books perform well.

“Large retailers recovered ground after a weaker December, with growth of 3.1 per cent on last year, meanwhile smaller retailers continued their winning streak with sales growth of 2.9 per cent,” he added. “The improved sales growth reflected stronger consumer sentiment in January, as well as the release of pent up demand, as many consumers held off on Christmas spending only to splurge on the January sales.”

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