---
source: Office for National Statistics
url: https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/retailindustry/bulletins/retailsales/march2026
document_type: html
date_retrieved: 2026-04-24
period: March 2026
parent_publication: Retail Sales, Great Britain
indicators_covered: [Retail Sales Year-on-Year, Retail Sales Month-on-Month, Retail Sales Excluding Fuel Year-on-Year, Retail Sales Excluding Fuel Month-on-Month]
---

# Retail Sales, Great Britain: March 2026

**Released:** 24 April 2026

## Overview

The quantity of goods bought (volume) in retail sales is estimated to have risen by 1.6% in Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2026, compared with Quarter 4 (Oct to Dec) 2025. Non-food stores' sales volumes grew, with art selling well in January and February, alongside a strong quarter for cosmetic and toiletries stores, with new collections being launched. Beyond this, non-store retailers also had a strong Quarter 1.

Retail sales volumes are estimated to have risen by 0.7% in March 2026, following a fall of 0.6% in February 2026 (revised down from a 0.4% fall in our previous bulletin) and a rise of 1.8% in January 2026 (revised down from a 2.0% rise in our previous bulletin). Fuel sales rose sharply on the month, with retailers reporting that motorists stocked up on fuel as prices rose.

Total retail sales, excluding automotive fuel, rose by 0.2% on the month. Clothing stores' sales volumes rose, which retailers attributed to the improved weather. Computer and telecoms stores, and non-store retailers, saw an increase in sales volumes as retailers reported new product launches.

## Retail Sales in March

Sales volumes rose by 1.6% in Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2026, compared with Quarter 4 (Oct to Dec) 2025. Sales volumes were 2.7% higher than in Quarter 1 2025.

Sales volumes rose by 0.7% over the month during March 2026, following a fall of 0.6% in February 2026. When excluding automotive fuel from the total, volumes rose by 0.2% over the month to March 2026.

Sales volumes (including automotive fuel) rose by 1.7% over the year to March 2026. Volumes were down by 0.1% compared with their pre-coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic level in February 2020.

Good Friday (3 April 2026) was included in the reporting period which covered 1 March 2026 to 4 April 2026. In 2025, Good Friday was included in the April release. This shift is accounted for in our seasonal adjustment.

## Retail Sector Volumes

Fuel retailers, other non-food stores, and non-store retailers rose over the three months to March 2026.

Sales volumes rose by 1.6% in Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2026, compared with Quarter 4 (Oct to Dec) 2025. Other non-food stores rose by 4.7%, its largest three-monthly rise since March 2024. Within this, commercial art galleries did well earlier in the quarter, while cosmetics and toiletries stores rose across all three months of Quarter 1 as retailers reported launching new collections. Non-store retailers (which are predominantly online) also rose, with boosts from retailers selling sports supplements in January. There were also suggestions that the spring sales went well, with some non-store retailers mentioning new product launches.

Sales volumes rose by 0.7% over the month to March 2026. This was largely because of a rise in fuel sales, with many retailers reporting motorists stocking up on fuel because of the war in the Middle East.

All retail, excluding automotive fuel, rose by 0.2% over the month. Non-food stores (the total of department, clothing, household, and other non-food stores) rose by 0.7% as sales of clothing improved, with retailers reporting better weather. Within other non-food stores, both auction houses and computer and telecoms retailers also performed well, with reports of new product launches. This was offset by a fall-back in commercial art galleries following a strong January and February 2026. Non-store retailers also rose on the month amid the spring sales and new products being released, with volumes at their highest level since February 2022.

## Indicator Summary

| Indicator | Value | Previous | Forecast |
|---|---:|---:|---:|
| **Retail Sales MoM** | 0.7% | -0.6% | 0.2% |
| **Retail Sales YoY** | 1.7% | 1.8% | 1.3% |
| **Retail Sales Excluding Fuel MoM** | 0.2% | -0.6% | 0.2% |
| **Retail Sales Excluding Fuel YoY** | 1.7% | 2.7% | 2.0% |

All values seasonally adjusted. Source: Office for National Statistics, Retail Sales Index reference tables (verified against Table 1 M of `mainreferencetables.xlsx`).

**Verification note:** The ex-fuel year-on-year value (1.7%) is confirmed via ONS Retail Sales Index reference tables (Table 1 M, March 2026 column) showing both "All Retailing, Including Automotive Fuel" and "All Retailing, Excluding Automotive Fuel" percentage increase on a year earlier = 1.7%.