Core retail sales in the United Kingdom edged down in June 2026, suggesting a mild cooling in consumer spending momentum. Month-over-month, the core retail sales indicator registered growth of 1.1%, compared with a 1.2% increase recorded in May 2026.
The data, updated on 24 July 2026, reflect a modest deceleration in underlying retail activity when excluding more volatile components. On a month-over-month basis, the current figure measures the change in June relative to May, while the previous reading captured May’s performance against April. Although growth remains positive, the slight slowdown may be interpreted as an early sign that consumer demand is stabilising after a stronger gain in the prior month.
For market participants and policymakers, the June reading underscores that while UK retail spending is still expanding, the pace of growth has become somewhat more measured as the summer progresses.
