Retail sales volume growth (Great Britain)

Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS), series J5EB. Monthly, usually a Friday about three weeks after the month ends, 7am; next release 23 October 2026

Retail sales volume growth (Great Britain): every value, by year, with a CSV download →

What it measures

Retail sales volumes measure the quantity of goods bought from shops and online retailers in Great Britain, after removing the effect of price changes. The figure shown is the percentage change in the seasonally adjusted volume index compared with the same month a year earlier, for all retailing including automotive fuel. It comes from the ONS Monthly Business Survey of retailers. Spending in restaurants, pubs, on travel or on other services is not included, so retail sales are only part of household spending. Northern Ireland is not covered.

How to read it

News reports usually lead with the month-on-month change, which the ONS also headlines and which is far more volatile; this page shows the annual change, which smooths out one-off months. Volumes and values tell different stories when prices rise: shoppers can spend more pounds while taking home fewer goods. The ONS publishes both. Weather, the timing of Easter and promotions such as Black Friday can shift sales between months even after seasonal adjustment, so the ONS also reports three-month comparisons. The latest month is revised as late survey returns arrive.

Background

This series of annual growth rates starts in January 1997, when volumes were 4.5% higher than a year earlier. The extremes are both linked to the coronavirus pandemic: volumes were 23.0% lower than a year earlier in April 2020, when non-essential shops were closed, and 41.0% higher in April 2021, compared with that low base. Online shopping has grown steadily as a share of sales; in August 2026 the ONS estimated that internet sales were 28.8% of all retailing excluding fuel.

Other parts of the UK

ONS retail sales bulletin (Great Britain; no official regional breakdown is published)

Are UK retail sales up or down?

The figure above compares this month's sales volume with the same month a year earlier. When this page was checked on 13 October 2026, the ONS estimated volumes in August 2026 were 2.4% higher than in August 2025, and 0.5% higher than in July 2026. The figures were published on 18 September 2026.

When are the next retail sales figures released?

The ONS publishes retail sales monthly at 7am, usually on a Friday about three weeks after the month ends. When this page was checked, the next release was scheduled for 23 October 2026, covering September 2026. The ONS release calendar lists confirmed dates.

What is the difference between retail sales volume and value?

Value is the amount spent in pounds. Volume removes the effect of price changes, so it measures the quantity of goods bought. When shop prices are rising quickly, values can grow while volumes are flat or falling.

Do retail sales include online shopping?

Yes. Sales by online-only retailers and the online sales of stores are both included. The ONS publishes the internet share of retail sales each month; in August 2026 it was 28.8% of all retailing excluding automotive fuel.

Why do retail sales figures get revised?

Some retailers return the survey late, and seasonal factors are re-estimated as new months arrive. The ONS shows revisions to the previous months in each bulletin, so a month's growth can change by a few tenths of a percentage point after first publication.

Related questions

• How big is the UK economy (GDP)?
• Is the UK in recession?
• What is the current UK inflation rate?
• Where can I find official UK fuel prices?

More on this source: UK Statistics Authority and Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR)