UK retailers saw a sales boost over January, following a “drab” December.
Total retail revenues were up 2.7% year on year (YoY) for the four weeks to 4 to 31 January, according to the latest BRC-KPMG retail sales monitor. This was against 2.6% growth during January 2025.
Food sales rose by 3.8% YOY over the month, compared to an increase of 2.8% the same time last year.
Non-food revenues were up 1.7% YoY over the period, against a 2.5% rise last January, the trade association reported.
In-store non-food sales increased by 2% YoY in January, against 2.6% growth in January 2025, while online non-food sales climbed 1.3% YoY over the month, compared to 2.2% growth the same time last year.
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BRC CEO Helen Dickinson said: “A drab December gave way to a brighter January as retail sales picked up pace.
“Many shoppers had held off Christmas spending and waited for the January sales, with the start of the new year showing the strongest growth.
“And bargain hunting was not limited to online, with in-store sales showing the highest growth in over six months.”
She added: “Consumer confidence, while improving, remains weak; costs of energy and packaging are rising, and the new Employment Rights Act could limit the ability of retailers to offer more flexible jobs.
“The Government must focus on getting the last of these right, ensuring protections for workers without damaging the availability of the jobs themselves. This is essential as unemployment continues to climb.”
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