Research shows retail sales slowed in July

Research carried out by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has revealed that retail sales volumes fell at a markedly slower pace in the year to July.

5 Aug 2026

Research carried out by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has revealed that retail sales volumes fell at a markedly slower pace in the year to July.

Online retail sales volumes dropped -47% in the year to July from 0% in June. Wholesale sales volumes were broadly unchanged in the year to July, but wholesalers expect sales to fall in August.

According to the business group, retailers anticipate that sales volumes will decline in the year to August at a similar pace to July.

Martin Sartorius, Lead Economist at the CBI, said: 'Retailers reported that the ongoing sales downturn lost steam in July, but a recovery still looks some way off as gloomy sentiment and elevated cost pressures weigh on activity.

'That said, conditions in the rest of the distribution sector were less downbeat, with wholesalers seeing stable volumes for the first time in over two years and motor trade sales rebounding.'