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.
Total retail sales between November 30, 2025, and January 3, 2026, grew just 1.2% year on year compared to a 3.2% growth for the same period in 2024, according to the latest BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor published today (January 13).
Food sales in the period grew 3.1% year on year, compared to a 1.7% growth in December 2024, although it was behind the 12-month average growth of 3.7% in 2025.
Non-food sales for the period decreased year on year by 0.3%, compared to 4.4% growth for the same period in 2024.
In-store non-food sales dropped 0.5% in the period, while online non-food sales dipped 0.1% for the period – compared to 11.1% growth in December 2024.
British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson described the Christmas trading period as “drab”, noting that sales growth slowed for the fourth consecutive month in December.
“It was a drab Christmas for retailers, as sales growth slowed for the fourth consecutive month. While food sales rose on the back of ongoing food inflation, non-food sales fell flat in the run up to Christmas, with gifting items doing worse than expected. Many people were clearly holding out for discounts, with the last week showing significant growth off the back of Boxing Day and beginning of the January sales. Despite the disappointing December, 2025 saw stronger sales growth overall, as non-food recovered from its 2024 decline.
“These figures show that consumer spending remains cautious, with households squeezed by the rising cost of living. Now is the time to support struggling families with the cost of food and essentials and give the economy the boost it needs. From business rates to the implementation of the Employment Rights Act, there are plenty of opportunities for the government to mitigate costs for retailers and prices for customers.”
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