Retail sales: Key Economic Indicators

In August 2022, retail sales in Great Britain totalled £8.1 billion per week, down from £8.5 billion in July. This figure includes money spent in shops, supermarkets, in petrol stations and online.

Between July and August, the total quantity of retail sales fell by 1.6% following a fall of 3.4% between June and July.

In the three months to August 2022, the volume of sales fell by 5.1% compared to the same period last year. The volume of sales fell by 1.1% in the three months to August 2022 compared with the previous three months. The volume of sales was 0.5% higher in August 2022 than pre-pandemic levels (Feb 2020).

Sales in food stores fell by 0.8% in August compared to July, following a rise of 0.1% between June and July. Retailers have attributed falls in food sales to increased food prices and cost of living impacts.

The average weekly value of internet sales was £2.2 billion in August 2022 (excluding fuel). This was 26% of all retail sales, down slightly from July.