UK retail sales growth beats forecasts with sharp rise in January
British retail sales rose by 1.8 percent in January to beat economist expectations. Annual growth reached 4.5 percent according to the latest official data.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported today, February 20, 2026, that retail sales volumes in the United Kingdom 
GB rose by 1.8% month-on-month in January. This increase represents a significantly stronger performance than the 0.2% monthly growth forecast by a Reuters poll of economists, indicating a larger-than-anticipated change in retail activity at the start of the year.
GB rose by 1.8% month-on-month in January. This increase represents a significantly stronger performance than the 0.2% monthly growth forecast by a Reuters poll of economists, indicating a larger-than-anticipated change in retail activity at the start of the year.
