UK Retail Sales Surpass Expectations in January: 1.8% Increase

Performance Above Expectations in Sales Volume According to data released by the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS), retail sales recorded a monthly increase of 1.8% in January 2026.
This figure significantly outperformed the 0.2% growth rate expected by markets.
This momentum in retail sales volume supported the recovery in economic activity following a 0.4% increase in December 2025.
Sectoral Contributions and Increased Demand In the three-month period between November 2025 and January 2026, sales showed a limited growth of 0.1% compared to the previous period.
The overall rise in January was particularly driven by demand for fuel and non-food product groups.
Increases in art, antique trading, and online jewelry sales were among the primary factors that led the January data to exceed expectations.