After a dip in May, UK retail sales volumes increased by an estimated 0.9 per cent M-o-M and 1.7 per cent Y-o-Y in June 2025, shows a report by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This positive trend follows a significant 2.8 per cent M-o-M decline in May, indicating a renewed consumer activity.

However despite this recent growth, overall re  tail volumes in June remained 1.6 per cent below their pre-COVID-19 levels recorded in February 2020, highlighting the ongoing recovery still needed in the sector.

Showing encouraging signs, retail sales volumes in Q2, FY25 increased by 0.2 per cent Q-o-Q and 1.8 per cent Y-o-Y during the quarter, as per the ONS release. This increase suggests a steady, albeit modest, improvement in consumer spending habits.

A notable highlight in June was the robust performance of non-store retailers, whose sales volumes increased by 1.7 per cent. This growth pushed non-store sales to their highest level since February 2022, underscoring a continued shift towards digital purchasing. While less dramatic, non-food store sales volumes also saw a marginal increase of 0.2 per cent M-o-M in June, with department stores and clothing retailers experiencing month-over-month growth.

The rise in online activity was particularly pronounced in terms of spending. The amount spent online, or ‘online spending values,’ increased by 2.3 per cent M-o-M and 4.5 per cent Y-o-Y in June 2025. This digital growth extended into the second quarter, with online spending values rising by 3.3 per cent Q-o-Q.

Consequently, total retail spend - combining both in-store and online sales - increased by 1.1 per cent M-o-M. This led to a slight but significant rise in the proportion of sales made online, which grew from 27.4 per cent in May 2025 to 27.8 per cent in June 2025, further solidifying the growing importance of e-commerce in the UK retail landscape.