UK high street's 'long-term decline' as online sales leap

ONLINE shopping drove retail sales last month, offsetting a flat in-store performance on the high street, figures show.

- By Amber Murray

In-store sales were lower in real terms in February, meaning actual sales volumes shrank year-on-year, said accountancy and business advisory firm BDO.

Total like-for-like sales grew by 2.3% in February. Retailers faced challenging conditions, with in-store growth of just 1.2% against a drop of 2% last year. Online was up 5%.

In-store fashion retailers registered no growth at all, after contracting 8.2% in February, 2024. Sophie Michael, of BDO, said: "These results speak to the much-reported and very concerning long-term decline in the UK high street."