Latest BRC-KPMG retail sales data
Retail sales cool as blazing hot summer ends
UK consumer demand cooled in August, as a summer marked by relentless heatwaves drew to an end.
Data: BRC-KPMG retail sales monitor
The BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor is a monthly measure of the sector’s UK performance, based on data shared with the British Retail Consortium by its members. The index was initially set up by the BRC as a way for retailers to benchmark their performance against that of the wider industry, but it has evolved to become a vital measure not only of the health of British retail, but of the wider UK economy. Retail sales growth was hampered throughout most of 2020 and early 2021 by the coronavirus crisis, as government imposed lockdown measures prevented non-essential retailers from opening physical stores.
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BRC-KPMG retail sales archive
Brits say 25.1ºC is too hot to shop. Summer 2026 temps have often exceeded that
New polling data from Barclays shows that 24.6ºC is their ideal summer temperature, but they are only happy to shop until the weather goes a little bit higher than that
Chart of the Week: Sunny weather boosts online shopping?
The new BRC numbers suggest retail sales grew faster than inflation in May, with year-on-year growth in non-food online sales hitting its highest rate since December, 2024
Heatwave drives jump in retail sales in May
The twin bank holidays and a heatwave helped drive a jump in retail sales during May, according to the latest BRC-KPMG retail sales monitor.
Chart of the Week: April not as bad as it looks, but still…
Some Easter noise continues in the first signs of how sales fared last month, but there is evidence that the conflict in the Middle East has rattled consumers and potentially slowed sales
Consumers avoided trips abroad in March, but spent more on clothing
Travel spending dropped by 3.3% in March versus the year before, according to the latest Barclays consumer spend tracker, as more Brits opted for staycations.
February sales fall flat as BRC warns of further issues from Middle East conflict
The retail industry in February saw weak spending across many categories as the British Retail Consortium (BRC) warned that the conflict in the Middle East could “knock any recovery off course”.
January retail benefits from highest growth of in-store sales in six months
Retail sales in January grew in the UK as customers waited for bargains, but the British Retail Consortium (BRC) warned that “many challenges remain” in 2026.
Retail sales growth over Christmas slows as consumers wait for discounts
Total UK retail sales growth over the Christmas period was down year on year, as cash-conscious consumers waited to splash out on New Year sales.
Charts: A disappointing November and Black Friday
Any hopes that consumers were saving their spending for Black Friday seem to have been unfounded, putting added pressure on the run-up to Christmas
Charts of the Week: Black Friday, AI, search and what retail can expect
There is a lot of uncertainty around Cyber Weekend this year, with the autumn Budget, consumer behaviour changing and how consumers access products, too. To unpick those trends, here is our bumper edition of Chart of the Week
Retail sales subdued as consumers wait for Black Friday deals
Retail sales in October grew at the weakest rate since May, with many consumers appearing to delay spending until Black Friday.
Retail sales growth slows as Budget uncertainty and weather delay spending
The rate of retail sales growth moderated in September as factors such as a looming Budget and warm weather affected trading conditions.
August bump rounds off ‘solid summer of sales’ for retail
Hot and sunny weather combined with an interest rate cut helped build a “solid summer of sales” for retailers in August, according to the latest data.
Retail sales increase as warm weather and higher prices provide boost
UK retail sales in July increased year on year, as warm weather and higher prices across food provided a sales boost, according to the BRC-KPMG Sales Monitor.
Retail sales heat up as temperatures soar
The BRC-KPMG Sales Monitor, produced by the British Retail Consortium and KPMG, indicates that total retail sales in the UK have increased by 3.1% year on year in June, measured against a decline of 0.2% last year.
UK retail sales slow as consumers put the brakes on discretionary spending
UK retail spending growth slowed to a crawl in May casting doubt on the strength of consumer resilience heading into the summer.
Retail sales boosted by sunny weather and Easter holidays
UK total retail sales soared in April as a mixture of sunny weather and a later Easter holiday saw customers spending big during the period.
Retail sales showing green shoots, says BRC
Retail sales are showing signs of underlying strengthening of demand, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
UK retail sales inch up but gloomy weather drags down fashion
UK retail sales inched up in February, although gloomy weather hampered fashion and non-food categories were generally muted.
Retail sales survive stormy January as consumers flock to stores looking for deals
Retail braved a stormy start to the year to deliver strong trading as January sales drove the strongest performance by stores in nearly two years.