Measured in real terms (constant 2019 prices), retail trade sales increased by 2,6% year-on-year in March 2026. The largest positive contributors to this increase were:

·         general dealers (1,7% and contributing 0,8 of a percentage point); and

·         all ‘other’ retailers (7,1% and contributing 0,7 of a percentage point).

Seasonally adjusted retail trade sales increased by 0,1% in March 2026 compared with February 2026. This followed month-on-month changes of -1,1% in February 2026 and 0,9% in January 2026.

Retail trade sales increased by 2,8% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the first quarter of 2025. The largest positive contributors to this increase were:

·         all ‘other’ retailers (9,4% and contributing 1,0 percentage point); and

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

The only negative contributor was retailers in food, beverages and tobacco in specialised stores (-5,7% and contributing -0,5 of a percentage point). 

Seasonally adjusted retail trade sales was flat in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the fourth quarter of 2025. The largest negative contributors were general dealers (-0,4% and contributing -0,2 of a percentage point) and retailers in food, beverages and tobacco in specialised stores (-2,0% and contributing -0,2 of a percentage point).

 The largest positive contributors were:

·         retailers in household furniture, appliances and equipment (1,8% and contributing 0,1 of a percentage point);

·         retailers in pharmaceuticals and medical goods, cosmetics and toiletries (1,5% and contributing 0,1 of a percentage point); and

·         all ‘other’ retailers (1,1% and contributing 0,1 of a percentage point).