UK retail sales growth slowed in March 2026, with year-over-year sales rising 1.7%, down from a revised 2.5% annual increase in February 2026. The data, updated on 24 April 2026, indicate a loss of momentum in consumer spending after a stronger start to the year.
On a year-over-year basis, the “actual” March reading compares retail activity in March 2026 with March 2025, while February’s figure measured sales in February 2026 against February 2025. The easing from 2.5% to 1.7% suggests that while consumers are still spending more than a year ago, the pace of growth has moderated, a development that markets may watch closely for signals about the resilience of household demand and the broader UK economic outlook.
