UK retail sales volumes showed modest growth in November 2025, rising 0.6% year-on-year while remaining flat on a month-on-month basis with no change from October. The stagnation in monthly activity suggests consumer spending momentum held steady despite ongoing economic pressures, including elevated inflation and cost-of-living concerns. While the annual increase indicates underlying resilience in the retail sector, the lack of monthly expansion points to cautious purchasing behavior among households. Total sales volumes have yet to return to pre-pandemic growth trajectories, reflecting structural shifts in consumer habits and persistent affordability constraints.

Performance across key retail sectors revealed a divergent picture. Non-food stores led gains with a 4.6% year-on-year increase, signaling continued strength in discretionary spending on apparel, electronics, and home goods—categories that have benefited from delayed consumption during earlier phases of the economic recovery. Non-store retailing, which includes online platforms and direct-to-consumer models, also posted positive growth at 2.5%, underscoring the sustained shift toward digital shopping channels. In contrast, food stores saw volumes decline by 2.8% compared to the same month last year, likely due to reduced household stockpiling and improved supply chain efficiency limiting panic buying. The automotive fuel sector experienced the steepest drop, down 4.8% annually, driven by lower fuel prices and increased adoption of energy-efficient and electric vehicles, which have dampened overall fuel demand. Together, these trends reflect evolving consumer priorities, with spending tilting toward experiential and durable goods while essential categories face volume erosion. Analysts suggest that while retail conditions remain fragile, the sector is adapting to a new equilibrium shaped by digital transformation, sustainability considerations, and shifting post-pandemic consumption patterns.