February 2019 UK Retail Sales: Fragmented Sectors Drive Strong Total Growth, But Core Sectors Show Softness

Executive Summary

Coresight Research’s monthly reports keep you up to date on US and UK retail sales, US retail traffic and in-store metrics, selected US retailers’ same-store sales and key global consumer indicators. Click here to view our full collection of Monthly Reports.

Our monthly UK Retail Sales Report reviews the latest sector data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Highlights from our February UK Retail Sales Report:

• The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported a strengthening of retail growth to 4.0% year over year in February, supported by a 3.5% increase in volumes.
• However, core sectors such as grocery retailers, department stores/mixed-goods retailers and large clothing retailers each reported soft year-over-year growth of around 1% or less.
• Total reported growth continued to be underpinned by unusually strong growth in fragmented sectors such as small clothing retailers, health and beauty retailers, and food specialists.