Clothing and household goods help boost retail sales 1% in Feb
Retail sales volumes for the three months ending in February increased by 0.3% from the previous three months, and were 2% higher than the same period in 2024
Retail sales rose by 1% in February, thanks to a strong performance in non-food stores such as clothing, household goods and department stores. according to The Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The largest monthly increase was seen in household goods stores, which were up 6.8% month-on-month, their biggest increase since April 2021.
Watches and jewellery retailers also saw increased demand, which was attributed to economic uncertainty driving interest in gold.
While the ONS reported that overall retail sales volumes rose in February, this was partially offset by a 2% decrease in food store sales volumes. Supermarkets experienced the largest decline in food sales, and retailers attributed this to the impact of rising prices on consumer spending.
In February, online retail spending values increased 3.3%, rebounding from a weak start to the year. Online sales accounted for 26.5% of total retail sales in February, compared to 25.8% in January.
Retail sales volumes for the three months ending in February increased by 0.3% from the previous three months, and were 2% higher than the same period in 2024. Despite these gains, sales volumes remain 0.4% lower than their pre-pandemic levels in February 2020.
Kris Hamer, director of insights at the BRC, said: “Despite the damp, grey weather, retailers saw a solid boost to their sales in February. Computing and household electricals performed well as people continued to upgrade their tech. Meanwhile, footwear and clothing struggled this month due to the gloomy weather putting a dampener on demand. Nonetheless, retailers are hopeful the March sunshine will boost footfall and drive more consumer spending.
“While the rain clouds may have gone away, retailers face £7bn in new costs in 2025. Furthermore, the uncertainty around the Employment Rights Bill and the new business rates reform mean that retailers are hesitant to invest in new stores and jobs. The government must provide clarity in these policy areas as soon as possible to allow businesses to plan accordingly. This will ensure the retail industry is best positioned to support the government’s growth agenda, which the chancellor espoused in her Spring Statement.”