The mood among UK retailers deteriorated in March, according to the latest CBI Distributive Trades Survey, with the headline balance falling to -52. This marks a notable decline from February 2026, when the indicator stood at -43, underscoring mounting pressure on the country’s retail sector.
The deeper negative reading suggests that a growing number of retailers reported weaker sales compared with a year earlier. The March 2026 data, updated on 24 March 2026, points to a continued loss of momentum for the distributive trades, signaling ongoing challenges for consumer demand and retail activity across the United Kingdom.
