Retail sales volumes are estimated to have risen by 0.7% in March 2026, following a fall of 0.6% in February 2026 and a rise of 1.8% in January 2026, the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics reveal.
Fuel sales rose sharply on the month, with retailers reporting that motorists stocked up on fuel as prices rose.
Total retail sales, excluding automotive fuel, rose by 0.2% on the month. Clothing stores’ sales volumes rose, which retailers attributed to the improved weather. Computer and telecoms stores, and non-store retailers, saw an increase in sales volumes as retailers reported new product launches.
Cande Cooper, retail partner at Deloitte, said: “Retail sales were better than expected in March following a disappointing February, albeit lifted considerably by fuel sales. The start of the Easter holidays gave a boost to sales volumes – particularly for clothing and footwear retailers as consumers looked to transition to new, spring wardrobes. On the other hand, food stores were the only category to see a drop in volumes, as consumers continue to buy less to manage the cost of their shopping at the till.
“The first quarter of the year saw consumer confidence face its largest drop in four years, as geopolitical tensions added additional uncertainty for consumers already feeling the pinch of the cost of living. While it’s reassuring to see sales volumes improve in March, continued growth will depend on the resilience of consumer budgets as inflation rises. This should also further emphasise retailers’ need to cater towards value-driven consumers – those looking for quality products at the best price point.”
Jacqueline Windsor, head of retail at PwC UK, said: “After rain washed out play during a decidedly lacklustre February, retail appeared to stage a partial rebound in March, with headline retail sales back into month-on-month growth of 0.7% following the previous month’s decline.
“However, compared with last March, seasonally adjusted retail sales volumes excluding petrol grew by only 1.7%, the weakest figure since last June. Once inflation is taken into account, pounds in the till grew by 4.1% versus last year.
“Amidst this, clothing retailers were a standout performer as a second March in a row of warmer, sunnier and drier weather helped new season’s collections that had been hampered by the colder, wetter February.
“Yet, despite that sunshine and an earlier start to school holidays compared with 2025, Britain’s high streets did not appear to benefit, as the proportion of sales made online increased from 28.2% in February to 28.7% in March, which is the highest penetration in almost five years.
“March caps the end of a better quarter of trading for many retailers after the relative disappointment of the ‘Golden Quarter’ from October to December last year. However, it is also the least important three months of most retailers’ year from a sales perspective, and comes before any real impact of the Middle East conflict.”
