US EditionSurprise UK retail sales rise adds to signs of pickup in economy
Online sales rose 4.4% in December, driven by demand for gold and silver from jewellery retailers, marking a modest economic recovery despite a weaker final quarter overall.
- Last month, the Office for National Statistics said total retail sales volumes rose 0.4% in December, marking a better-than-expected Christmas bounce for the United Kingdom retail sector.
- Internet retailing recorded its biggest monthly rise since February last year, with online jewellers reporting renewed demand for gold and silver after a lull.
- Supermarkets and non-food stores showed divergent results as supermarkets rose 0.2% while non-food stores fell 0.9%, and clothing and footwear sales dropped 0.7%, leaving fourth quarter volumes down 0.3%.
- Despite monthly gains, annual figures and retailer statements show mixed signals as sales volumes overall in 2025 posted the biggest annual increase since 2021, but major British retailers remained cautious about 2026 prospects.
- Analysts point to later shopping and grocery inflation as constraints, with retailers reporting hits to trading in October and November ahead of the November 26 budget, while Pantheon Macroeconomics expects spending to recover in 2026.
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30 Articles
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The online range was one of the positive highlights, with an express demand for gold and silver in digital jewelry
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