A leading independent retailers’ association has warned that falling sales in February are an early sign of consumers reining in their spending amid growing economic uncertainty.
The quantity of goods bought fell by 0.4% in February 2026, down from a revised rise of 2% in January, according to the Office For National Statistics (ONS).
Supermarket sales fell back as shoppers concentrated their spending in January to capitalise on New Year deals, while household goods sales also dipped, with retailers pointing to heavy rainfall reducing footfall during the month.
However, online sales continued to outperform, rising 11.4% year-on-year in February, with the proportion of total sales made online edging up from 28% in January to 28.2%.
In response, Andrew Goodacre (left), CEO of the British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA), said: “These figures are the first sign of consumers beginning to pull back on spending in the face of growing economic uncertainty. The conflict in the Middle East has already driven consumer confidence to an all-time low, and we expect the picture to worsen further in the months ahead.
“This couldn’t come at a worse time for independent retailers already contending with significant increases in their rates bills, rising wage costs and the very real prospect of higher energy costs.
“The lack of meaningful government support is hard to understand. The so-called transformation of business rates has made matters worse, not better, and independent retailers are running out of road.”
Bira said it’s calling on the Government to provide meaningful support to independent retailers before the cumulative pressures of rising rates, wages, and energy costs cause irreversible damage to the high street.
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