United Kingdom retail sales returned to growth in August 2026, rising 0.5% month-over-month after a 0.5% decline in July, according to data updated on 18 September 2026. The shift marks a clear reversal from the previous month’s weakness, when sales had contracted compared to June.
The latest figures show that consumer spending strengthened in August, with the current 0.5% increase contrasting with July’s -0.5% month-over-month reading. On a comparative basis, the “Actual” figure reflects the change in August relative to July, while the “Previous” value captures July’s change versus June, highlighting the improvement in momentum moving into late summer. \/body
