The quantity of goods bought (volume) in retail sales are estimated to have fallen by 0.1% in the three months to August 2025 when compared with the three months to May 2025, according to the latest figures from the ONS. Falls in automotive fuel and computer and telecoms equipment stores were partly offset by increases in non-store retailing and clothing stores.
Retail sales volumes are estimated to have risen by 0.5% in August 2025, following an increase of 0.5% in July 2025 (revised down from a 0.6% rise in our last bulletin). Clothing stores, butchers and bakers, and non-store retailing grew in August 2025, which some retailers attributed to the good weather.
Sagar Shah, associate partner at McKinsey & Company comments: “Back-to-school shopping and end-of-season sales lifted retail sales volumes by 0.5% in August.
Oliver Vernon-Harcourt, head of retail at Deloitte, said: “Retail sales in August were bolstered by continued warm weather as consumers enjoyed the final month of summer. Barbecue season may have contributed to the boost in food sales volumes, as more consumers opted for entertaining at home. Encouragingly, spending on discretionary items including clothing also rose.
“While the summer months have been positive for retail sales, all eyes are now on the Golden Quarter – the most important few months of the year for retailers. The change of the seasons in September should no doubt encourage consumers to purchase items for their winter wardrobes, but many businesses will be hoping that rain doesn’t deter shoppers from the high street. “
