FX.co ★ UK Core Retail Sales Slide 0.9% in July, Reversing June’s Gain

Core retail sales in the United Kingdom fell by 0.9% month-over-month in July 2026, according to data updated on 21 August 2026. The decline marks a sharp reversal from June 2026, when core retail sales had risen by 1.1% compared with May.

The core measure excludes volatile components and is closely watched as an indicator of underlying consumer spending momentum. On a month-over-month basis, July’s negative reading indicates that the improvement seen in June did not carry through into the following month, underscoring a weakening in retail demand as the summer progressed.

The figures are based on a comparison of July’s change in core retail sales with June, while the previous indicator reflects the change in June relative to May. This shift from growth to contraction highlights renewed pressure on UK retailers and suggests a more cautious consumer environment midway through 2026.