Retail sales volumes in Great Britain saw an increase of 0.5% in August 2025, aided by dry and warm weather conditions, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). 

The ONS stated that this increase aligns with the growth seen in July, although the July figure was adjusted down from an initial estimate of 0.6% to 0.5%. 

In the three months leading up to August, sales volumes experienced a decline of 0.1% compared to the previous three months. This downturn was smaller than the 0.6% decrease observed in the three months leading up to July. 

Sales of automotive fuel, computers and telecom equipment saw a decline, along with some non-food outlets such as second-hand goods retailers.  

However, this drop was partially offset by increases in clothing stores and non-store retailing, which encompasses online transactions. 

The ONS reported a 1.1% rise in non-food store sales in August 2025, with growth observed across clothing, household goods and other non-food categories. 

Retailers indicated that dry weather contributed to this uptick. 

Food stores also recorded sales growth. Specialist shops such as butchers and bakers showed recovery from weaker trading in July, with many reporting higher footfall. 

Non-store retailing continued its growth trajectory, marking a seventh consecutive month of increases.

Total sales values, which indicate the spending amount rather than the quantity sold, rose 0.4% in August 2025 and were 4.7% higher than in the previous year. 

Overall expenditure, combining both in-store and online purchases, climbed 0.6% over the month. 

Online spending values increased by 2% over the three months to August compared to the three months to May, and rose by 3.4% compared to the same period of the previous year. 

The proportion of total sales conducted online remained largely unchanged, slightly decreasing from 27.7% in July to 27.6% in August.