UK retail sales bounced back last month in a better-than-expected performance over the key Christmas season, new official figures show.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the total volume of retail sales, which measures the quantity bought, is estimated to have risen by 0.4% in December.
This follows a fall of 0.1% in November.
Retail sales rose by 1.3% in 2025, after a rise of 0.2% in 2024. Despite this being the second consecutive annual rise, volumes did not fully recover from the 2023 fall, and remained below their pre-pandemic level. pic.twitter.com/0VRcDkrU8K
— Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) January 23, 2026
Most experts had been expecting sales to remain flat in December, according to Pantheon Macroeconomics.
It comes after a boost to online trading, with sales across internet retailers rising by 4.4% – the biggest rise since February last year – thanks to strong demand for gold and silver as precious metal prices boom.
Over the final quarter of the year, retail sales by volume are estimated to have fallen by 0.3% as the December boost failed to offset falls in October and November.
But the ONS said the December figure meant sales volumes overall in 2025 rose by 1.3%, which is the biggest increase since 2021.
Retail sales were 0.3% lower in October to December 2025 than in the previous three months.
Supermarkets and non-store retailers fell following a strong third quarter boosted by good weather and the UEFA Women's Euro 2025.
➡️ https://t.co/x2v3cfQ75m pic.twitter.com/CZ42skl7HM
ONS senior statistician Hannah Finselbach said: “Sales were up in December, with internet retailing doing well.
“Within this, online jewellers had a strong month and told us there was higher demand for gold and silver.
“Across 2025 as a whole, retail sales saw a second consecutive annual rise after the large falls of 2022 and 2023, but volumes still remained below their pre-pandemic level.”
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