Retail Sales, Great Britain - December 2023 - Shoppers Spent Less

19th January 2024

Retail sales volumes are estimated to have fallen by 3.2% in December 2023, from a rise of 1.4% in November 2023 (revised up from an increase of 1.3%); December's decrease was the largest monthly fall since January 2021, when coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions affected sales.

Looking at the quarterly picture, sales volumes fell by 0.9% in the three months to December 2023 when compared with the previous three months.

Non-food store sales volumes fell by 3.9% in December 2023, following a 2.7% increase in November 2023 when earlier Black Friday sales, and wider discounting, increased sales.

Food store sales volumes fell by 3.1% in December 2023, from an increase of 1.1% in November 2023.

Non-store retailing (predominantly online retailers) sales volumes fell by 2.1% in December 2023, following a fall of 1.1% in November 2023.

Automotive fuel sales volumes fell by 1.9% in December 2023, following a rise of 0.8% in November 2023.

On an annual basis, sales volumes fell by 2.8% in 2023 and were their lowest level since 2018.

Read the full ONS report HERe