United Kingdom retail sales growth strengthened at the start of 2026, with year-on-year figures for January showing a 4.5% increase, up from 2.5% in December 2025. The data, updated on 20 February 2026, indicate a notable acceleration in consumer spending momentum on an annual basis.
The figures compare retail activity in January 2026 with the same month a year earlier, while the previous reading measured December 2025 against December 2024. The pickup from 2.5% to 4.5% suggests that retailers entered the new year with firmer demand, marking a stronger backdrop for the sector after year-end trading.
