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Total retail sales in the UK increased by 1.1% year on year in February, matching the growth recorded in February 2025, according to the latest BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor.
The figures remain below the 12-month average growth rate of 2.3%. Food sales rose by 2.9% during the month, compared with 2.3% in the same period last year. This performance sat below the 12-month average growth of 3.8% for the sector.
Non-food sales saw a decrease of 0.4% year on year, down from the flat 0.0% recorded in February 2025. This was significantly lower than the 12-month average growth of 1.0%.
Meanwhile, in-store non-food sales grew by 0.2%, an improvement on the 1.0% decline seen a year prior. However, online non-food sales fell by 1.3% against a previous growth of 1.9%.
The online penetration rate, measuring the proportion of non-food items purchased online, dropped to 36.1% from 36.3% in February 2025. This was lower than the 12-month average of 37.3%.
The data suggests that seasonal events such as Valentine’s Day and Pancake Day supported specific categories like jewellery and at-home dining, but failed to drive overall volume growth.
Chief executive at the British Retail Consortium Helen Dickinson 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.”
UK head of consumer, retail and leisure at KPMG Linda Ellett added: “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.”
