Art and antiques help lift retail sales in Great Britain to biggest monthly rise since 2024

The Guardian - World NewsEN 2 min read 100% complete by Alex DanielFebruary 20, 2026 at 10:35 AM

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medium article 2 min

Great Britain's retail sales experienced a significant rebound in January, rising 1.8%, the largest monthly increase since May 2024, according to the Office for National Statistics. The surge, exceeding forecasts, was attributed to post-Christmas sales, heavy discounting, and increased sales of artwork, antiques, and online jewelry. On an annual basis, retail sales volumes were 4.5% higher. Economists suggest this rise indicates a potential recovery in consumer confidence, supported by falling inflation and expectations of future interest rate cuts by the Bank of England. Online sales also saw a boost due to rainy weather. While some analysts suggest that rising gold prices may have slightly inflated jewelry sales, the overall trend points to a positive start to the year for retailers after a weak November.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Deloitte 30% RSM UK 40% Bank of England 50% Pantheon Macroeconomics 50% Office for National Statistics (ONS) 60% Grant Fitzner 80% Great Britain ×2100%

Keywords

retail sales 100% consumer confidence 70% interest rates 60% inflation 60% art and antiques 50% online sales 50% economic activity 50% monthly rise 40%

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Positive

Score: 0.40

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The Guardian - World News

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90%

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Great Britain

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