LONDON, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Britain's retail sales volumes rose by 1.0 percent in February 2025, following a 1.4 percent increase in January, official data showed on Friday.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), February's monthly retail sales volumes reached their highest level since July 2022. On a year-on-year basis, sales volumes were up by 2.2 percent.

However, the ONS noted that retail volumes remain 0.4 percent below pre-pandemic levels recorded in February 2020.

Sales in non-food stores, including department stores, clothing, household, and other non-food outlets, increased by 3.1 percent over the month. In contrast, food store sales volumes declined by 2.0 percent.

"Supermarkets had the largest downward contribution, with retailers citing economic factors such as rising prices," the ONS said.

Online spending values - the total amount spent online - rose by 3.3 percent in February.

Despite the recent growth, the rise in retail sales is "unlikely" to signal a strong improvement in the sector's underlying performance, Matt Swannell, chief economic advisor to the EY ITEM Club, told The Guardian.

Swannell added that retail sales are expected to decline in the coming months. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)