Retail sales rose 0.6% in the three months to November, compared to the three leading up to August, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
According to the latest data, this was partially due to strong clothing sales in September.
The ONS has today (19 December) published its retail sales report for November 2025, which showed sales were up 0.7% when compared with the same period last year.
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However, the body highlighted that retail sales volumes are estimated to have fallen by 0.1% in the reporting period. This follows a fall of 0.9% in October 2025.
Compared to pre-pandemic levels, volumes were down 3.0%
Jacqui Baker, head of retail at RSM UK and chair of ICAEW’s Retail Group, said: “Speculation around potential tax hikes and the wettest weather seen this year dampened retail sales in November. The drop in sales compounded a bleak start to the all-important Golden Quarter, not even Black Friday deals could entice shoppers to splurge ahead of Christmas, with the biggest fall in online.
“Consumer confidence has ticked up in December, highlighting a potential budget bounce which will hopefully translate into a late surge in sales as people hit the high street in a last-minute rush. Budget jitters should have subsided now and with no major shocks, confidence should start to improve just in time to turn around fortunes in the Golden Quarter.”
The figures showed supermarket sales volumes fell for their fourth consecutive month and footfall was low, but the ONS suggested this was partially offset by a rise of 1% in non-food stores.
The report also showcased that department stores’ sales volumes had risen, which some retailers believed was down to longer Black Friday discounting. Sales of leather goods also did well.
It also showed that the volumes of non-store retailers declined due to a decrease in demand for gold.
According to the research, the amount spent online rose 3.2% when compared with the August 2025 reporting period and 6.7% when compared with last year.
Baker added, “Looking ahead to 2026, retailers continue to face headwinds with low consumer confidence combined with already high employment costs set to rise further as the national minimum wage increases again.
“Business rates reform could also disproportionately hit larger operators and online businesses, presenting a mixed, challenging trading environment next year.”
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