Retail sales volumes are estimated to have risen by 1.8% in January 2026, following a rise of 0.4% in December 2025 and a fall of 0.4% in November 2025, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Growth in January 2026 was partly because of artwork and antiques sales, alongside continued strong sales from online jewellers.
In the three months to January 2026, retail sales rose 0.1% compared with the three months to October 2025. The rise was because of better automotive fuel sales over the three months to January 2026, and a good start to the year for non-food stores, which was only partly offset by falls in supermarkets.
Cande Cooper, retail partner at Deloitte, said: “Increased discounting and sales in January enticed consumers to spend more on bigger ticket items, creating a generous uplift in retail sales growth – the biggest monthly rise in almost two years. It is clear that value is a priority for many consumers, with nearly a third taking advantage of in-store discounts and loyalty cards to keep costs down.
“The growth across non-food stores and household goods stores points to consumers prioritising finding the best deals, but the bigger picture could be that some are starting to loosen the purse strings. The wet and stormy weather of January also led to a boost to online sales as consumers opted to shop online rather than venturing out to the high street.
“In the last quarter we saw consumers starting to feel better about the state of the UK economy. With inflation continuing to ease, and further interest rate cuts expected, these results could be a sign that consumers may be more empowered to spend on non-essentials in the coming months.”
Sandra Prince, head of consumer at Lloyds, said: “This rise is a positive start to the year. Online sales have been a particular bright spot, likely boosted by the wet weather.
“Retailers are increasingly investing in technology and automation, with many sharpening their focus on social commerce and ensuring products are discoverable through AI searches. Many are also strengthening the digital infrastructure of their loyalty programmes to deliver more personalised offers that help retain customers and further boost sales.”
