Overview
- BRC/KPMG data show total retail sales rose 1.4% year on year in November, marking the softest growth since May.
- Barclays reports a 1.1% annual fall in card spending, the largest decline since February 2021.
- Black Friday delivered the busiest day of the year for retailers, with transaction volumes up 62.5% versus an average 2025 day, yet the surge failed to lift overall monthly spending.
- Non-food sales grew just 0.1% as computing and household appliances outperformed, fashion lagged, and food sales rose 3% but trailed their 12‑month average.
- Executives linked shopper caution to anticipation of the 27 November Budget, which set out £26 billion in tax rises, with industry groups watching the impact on confidence heading into 2026.