Retail sales volumes are estimated to have risen by 0.4% in December 2025, following a fall of 0.1% in November 2025 and a fall of 0.8% in October 2025.

Non-store retailers’ volumes rose in December, following falls in October and November, with online jewellers reporting that demand for precious metals picked up in December.

Retail sales volumes rose by 1.3% in 2025, following a rise of 0.2% in 2024, and falls in both 2022 and 2023.

Despite this being the second consecutive annual rise, volumes did not recover from the 2023 fall, and remained below 2019 COVID-19 pandemic levels.