The figures have been launched by the British retail consortium (BRC) and the KPMG retail gross sales monitor and, though the overall retail determine doesn’t attain the common development fee of three months of two.four%, exceeds the common annual development fee of zero.eight%.
With the arrival of probably the most sunny days in early March, retailers are optimistic a couple of rebound in shopper expense in clothes for the subsequent spring and summer season seasons.
The manager director of the British retail consortium, Helen Dickinson, mentioned: “Retail gross sales noticed a extra modest development in February. Whereas the expansion of gross sales in non -food classes was typically silenced, it was supported by on-line purchases, significantly in pc and electronics.
“Style labored badly as a result of gloomy local weather all through the month, however retailers count on the daylight of daylight in early March to spend in spring and summer season cupboards.”
Throughout the interval between February 2 and March 1, 2025, gross sales within the unimported sector stay secure in comparison with the earlier yr, which is an enchancment on the two.7% lower noticed in February 2024.
Nonetheless, these figures didn’t meet the common development fee of three months of two.5%, however exceeded the common 12 months of zero.9%.
The gross sales of bodily shops throughout the non -food class noticed an interannual lower of 1.zero% in February, which is a slight enchancment of the 1.eight% lower reported in February 2024.
These numbers have been decrease than the common development fee of three months of zero.eight% however increased than the common lower of 12 months of 1.7%.
Quite the opposite, non -food gross sales on-line confirmed a rise, with an interannual improve of 1.9% in February, contrasting strongly with a four.1% lower in February 2024.
Whereas these figures fell beneath the common development fee of three months of 5.three%, they have been above the common development fee of 12 months of zero.6%.
The web penetration fee for non -food objects additionally elevated to 36.four% in February in comparison with 35.eight% in February 2024.
In keeping with the expansion classifications of the web gross sales class, the textiles of the home, well being and sweetness, and different non -food classes confirmed development in February in comparison with January, whereas clothes, footwear and residential equipment decreased.
Helen Dickinson added: “This weak efficiency strengthens many retailers, particularly as a result of they’re ready for £ 7 billion new funds prices and packaging tax in 2025, in addition to the potential impression of the Employment Rights Legislation. The trade is already doing all the pieces doable to soak up current prices, however it is going to stick with few extra choices than improve costs or scale back funding in jobs and shops, or each.
“The strategy to the labor rights invoice should be in unscrupulous employers, however as a substitute, the trade faces steady uncertainty and a trajectory that runs the danger of punishing accountable firms that present worthwhile employment, significantly on the entry stage. It’s time for the Authorities to appropriate that funding and development aren’t undermined. ”
In January of this yr, a survey performed by the BRC covers 52 monetary officers of the UK retail sector revealed that two thirds of respondents (67%) plan to extend costs as a result of highest prices of the nationwide insurance coverage in April.
KPMG Shopper, Retail & Leisure UK Head Linda Ellett mentioned: “Customers are nonetheless cautious with their bills and plenty of proceed to prioritize financial savings, journeys and experiences. The nervousness in regards to the financial system is suspending different massive purchases of tickets, however the events and gives nonetheless are likely to the patrons to an impulsive expense. Valentine, for instance, introduced an impulse of bijou gross sales to the principle avenue, in what in any other case was a flat month for the acquisition within the retailer. “
