The monthly index levels in January reached their highest since August 2024, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported.
LONDON, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Britain's retail sales volumes are estimated to have increased by 1.7 percent in January, following a 0.6 percent decline in December, official data showed on Friday.
The monthly index levels in January reached their highest since August 2024, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported.
Kris Hamer, director of insight at the British Retail Consortium (BRC), said retailers managed to navigate a challenging January by offering extensive promotions, while customers took advantage of bargains to upgrade furniture and household electrical appliances.
Despite the monthly increase, retail sales volumes remained 1.3 percent lower than their pre-pandemic level in February 2020, according to the ONS.
Food store sales saw significant growth, rising by 5.6 percent on the month, the largest increase since March 2020, as more people opted to eat at home, the data showed.
However, sales in non-food stores declined by 1.3 percent over the month. Clothing retailers and household goods stores attributed the drop to weakened consumer confidence.
A recent BRC survey indicated that confidence in the British economy has reached a new low. Even Gen Z (18-27), the most optimistic generation regarding the economy and their own finances, experienced a decline in optimism, according to BRC Chief Executive Helen Dickinson. ■