The UK retail sector posted a modest like-for-like (LFL) sales rise of +1.78% in the latest week, but the strength came almost exclusively from online channels, according to the latest data from BDO.
Analysts say that the growth was “predominantly driven by strong non-store sales, primarily led by online fashion”, while physical stores continued to struggle.
The fashion sector remains a key engine for the recovery, recording +2.78% LFL growth — marking its sixth consecutive week of positive performance and its thirty-third so far in 2025.
In particular, non-store fashion sales surged by +6.28%, leading the overall non-store LFL increase. This robust performance underlines a clear shift in consumer behaviour, especially as spending remained strong despite deteriorating weather, including strong winds and wintry showers.
Meanwhile, store-based retail fared poorly. Total in-store LFL sales fell by -3.12%, marking the second consecutive weekly decline. The fashion segment within stores was hit hardest, slipping -3.62% — its second week in a row of negative sales and the fifteenth decline since the start of the year.
Footfall data added further confirmation to the troubles on the high street: the overall number of shoppers dropped by -5.1%. High street shopping destinations saw a -6.5% fall in foot traffic, while shopping centres and retail parks fell by -3.9% and -3.3%, respectively.
Retail analysts say the divergence makes clear that the UK fashion industry’s recovery is becoming increasingly reliant on e-commerce — as consumers gravitate away from traditional brick-and-mortar shops in favour of online convenience.
