Wet February dampens retail sales
Covering the 4 weeks of 1 – 28 February 2026
- UK Total retail sales increased by 1.1% year on year in February, against a growth of 1.1% in February 2025. This was below the 12-month average growth of 2.3%.
- Food sales increased by 2.9% year on year in February, against a growth of 2.3% in February 2025. This was below the 12-month average growth of 3.8%.
- Non-Food sales decreased by 0.4% year on year in February, against 0.0% in February 2025. This was below the 12-month average growth of 1.0%.
- In-Store Non-Food sales increased by 0.2% year on year in February, against a decline of 1.0% in February 2025. This was below the 12-month average growth of 1.0%.
- Online Non-Food sales decreased by 1.3% year on year in February, against a growth of 1.9% in February 2025. This was below the 12-month average growth of 1.2%.
- The online penetration rate (the proportion of Non-Food items bought online) decreased to 36.1% in February from 36.3% in February 2025. This was below the 12-month average of 37.3%.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive at the British Retail Consortium, said: “February’s grey, wet weather hit retail sales hard. Spending was weak across most categories, online and instore, as households pulled back after Christmas and January’s rebound. Food sales were flat in real terms as shoppers tightened their belts. Valentine’s Day did provide a bright spot, with jewellery, watches and perfume performing better as people still treated loved ones.
“While retailers look to Spring and better weather to lift spirits and revive sales, conflict in the Middle East threatens knocking any recovery off course. Prolonged low consumer confidence adds strain on retailers already facing mounting cost pressures, higher taxes and a growing regulatory burden. At such a time, government’s top priority should be to avoid piling on further cost and complexity and to think carefully about the real world impacts of aspects of the Employment Rights Act. Without realism and restraint, retailers will struggle to invest in the jobs the economy needs and prices households can afford.”
Linda Ellett, UK head of Consumer, Retail & Leisure, KPMG, said: “Health and wellbeing related purchases helped to drive modest monthly retail sales growth in February. But minus food and drink sales, the momentum wasn’t strong enough to keep growth going for total non-food goods.
“While some channels, categories, and brands are showing there is still room to thrive, the combination of ongoing business costs and limited consumer spending is challenging others – with efficiency drives and technological transformation continuing at pace.”
Food & Drink sector performance | Sarah Bradbury, CEO, IGD, said: “February delivered one of the wettest months on record, yet shopper sentiment still saw a modest lift thanks to easing inflation and news of a forthcoming 7% cut in energy prices, offering a rare sense of financial reprieve. Seasonal spikes around Valentine’s Day and Pancake Day boosted at home dining but failed to translate into volume growth. As March begins, the outlook is deteriorating. The OBR’s latest forecast downgraded near term growth, whilst the conflict in the Middle East is strengthening concerns over fuel costs, which could impact food price inflation, if the situation continues. Together, these risks suggest February’s uptick in sentiment may prove short lived.”