Measured in real terms (constant 2019 prices), retail trade sales increased by 4,2% year-on-year in January 2026. The largest positive contributors to this increase were:

·         retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods (9,9% and contributing 1,6 percentage points);

·         all ‘other’ retailers (10,3% and contributing 1,2 percentage points); and

·         general dealers (1,7% and contributing 0,7 of a percentage point).

Seasonally adjusted retail trade sales increased by 0,9% in January 2026 compared with December 2025. This followed month-on-month changes of -0,5% in December 2025 and 0,7% in November 2025.

Retail trade sales increased by 3,3% in the three months ended January 2026 compared with the three months ended January 2025. The largest positive contributors to this increase were: 

·         general dealers (2,7% and contributing 1,2 percentage points);

·         all ‘other’ retailers (8,8% and contributing 0,9 of a percentage point); and

·         retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods (3,1% and contributing 0,6 of a percentage point).

The only negative contributor was retailers in food, beverages and tobacco in specialised stores (-4,1% and contributing -0,4 of a percentage point).

Seasonally adjusted retail trade sales increased by 1,3% in the three months ended January 2026 compared with the previous three months. The largest positive contributor was general dealers (1,3% and contributing 0,6 of a percentage point).