Retail sales in the UK fell 3.8 percent month-over-month in November of 2020, the first decline since April, as many stores closed following government guidance during the coronavirus pandemic. The UK entered a second nationwide lockdown in November and stores selling non-essential goods were forced to close. Figures compare with market forecasts of a 4.2 percent drop. Clothing store sales (-19 percent) and fuel sales (-16.6 percent) saw big declines while food stores (3.1 percent) and household goods stores (1.6 percent) were the only sectors to show growth in monthly volume of sales. Despite the monthly fall, overall sales remain above their pre-pandemic levels. Year-on-year, retail sales increased 2.4 percent. source: Office for National Statistics

Retail Sales MoM in the United Kingdom averaged 0.24 percent from 1996 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 13.80 percent in June of 2020 and a record low of -18.10 percent in April of 2020. This page provides the latest reported value for - United Kingdom Retail Sales MoM - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. United Kingdom Retail Sales MoM - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on January of 2021.

Retail Sales MoM in the United Kingdom is expected to be 1.50 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. Looking forward, we estimate Retail Sales MoM in the United Kingdom to stand at -0.80 in 12 months time. In the long-term, the United Kingdom Retail Sales MoM is projected to trend around 0.60 percent in 2021 and 0.50 percent in 2022, according to our econometric models.

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United Kingdom Retail Sales MoM

Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
-3.80 1.30 13.80 -18.10 1996 - 2020 percent Monthly
2016=100, SA


Calendar GMT Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2020-09-18 06:00 AM Aug 0.8% 3.7% 0.7% 0.5%
2020-10-23 06:00 AM Sep 1.5% 0.9% 0.4% 0.5%
2020-11-20 07:00 AM Oct 1.2% 1.4% 0% 0.4%
2020-12-18 07:00 AM Nov -3.8% 1.3% -4.2% -2.8%
2021-01-22 07:00 AM Dec -3.8% 1.5%
2021-02-19 07:00 AM Jan
2021-03-26 07:00 AM Feb
2021-04-23 06:00 AM Mar
Go to our Calendar for more events. Or learn more about the Calendar API for direct access.


News Stream
UK Retail Sales Fall for 1st Time since April
Retail sales in the UK fell 3.8 percent month-over-month in November of 2020, the first decline since April, as many stores closed following government guidance during the coronavirus pandemic. The UK entered a second nationwide lockdown in November and stores selling non-essential goods were forced to close. Figures compare with market forecasts of a 4.2 percent drop. Clothing store sales (-19 percent) and fuel sales (-16.6 percent) saw big declines while food stores (3.1 percent) and household goods stores (1.6 percent) were the only sectors to show growth in monthly volume of sales. Despite the monthly fall, overall sales remain above their pre-pandemic levels. Year-on-year, retail sales increased 2.4 percent.
2020-12-18
UK Retail Sales Unexpectedly Rise
Retail sales in the UK increased 1.2 percent month-over-month in October of 2020, beating market forecasts of a flat reading. It is the sixth straight month of rising retail sales, boosted by sales for non-store retailing (6.4 percent), household goods stores (3.2 percent) and department stores (3.1 percent). Retail sales are now now 6.7 percent higher than in February 2020, before coronavirus lockdown restrictions were applied in the UK. Year-on-year, retail sales jumped 5.8 percent, also above forecasts of 4.2 percent, as consumers had started Christmas shopping earlier this year, further helped by early discounting from a range of stores. Excluding fuel, retail sales went up 1.3 percent on a monthly basis and 7.8 percent year-on-year.
2020-11-20
UK Retail Sales Rise for 5th Month
Retail sales in the United Kingdom increased 1.5 percent month-over-month in September of 2020, beating forecasts of a 0.4 percent rise. It is the fifth consecutive month of rising retail sales and the third highest gain so far this year. Food sales have done well in recent months (0.7 percent vs 0.4 percent) as people have eaten out less, and sales also increased for household goods and garden items (0.9 percent vs 1.4 percent); fuel (0.1 percent vs 3.9 percent) and clothing (3.6 percent vs 12 percent). Retail sales are now 5.5 percent higher compared with February's pre-pandemic level. Considering the 3 months to September, retail sales volumes increased by 17.4 percent when compared with the previous three months; this is the biggest quarterly increase on record as sales picked up from record-low levels experienced earlier in the year amid the coronavirus lockdown.
2020-10-23
UK Retail Sales Slightly Higher than Expected
Retail sales in the United Kingdom went up 0.8 percent month-over-month in August of 2020, the fourth consecutive month of growth and resulting in an increase of 4 percent when compared with February’s pre-pandemic level. Figures were slightly better than forecasts of a 0.7% rise. Spending for home improvements continued to rise in August with sales at household goods stores increasing by 9.9 percent when compared with February. In contrast, online retail sales fell 2.5 percent, but the strong growth experienced over the pandemic has meant that sales were still 46.8 percent higher than February. Non-store retailing was 38.9 percent above February, while clothing stores were still 15.9 percent below February’s pre-pandemic levels. Year-on-year, retail sales increased 2.8 percent.
2020-09-18

United Kingdom Retail Sales MoM
In the United Kingdom, the Retail sales report provides an aggregated measure of sales of retail goods and services over a specific time period. In the United Kingdom, Retail sales are seasonal, volatile and relatively important to the overall economy.