Total food sales at UK retailers increased by 3.8% year-on-year (YoY) last month, according to the latest figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) taken between 4 and 31 January.

This marked a significant rise from the 2.8% increase in food sales reported in January 2025 and the 3.1% growth in December 2025.

Retail food sales for January were flat against the 12-month average growth of 3.8%.

Overall UK retail sales experienced a strong sales boost of 2.7% YoY in January, compared with a 2.6% growth in the same period last year. This figure was above the 12-month average growth of 2.3%.

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The increase in food spending was driven by New Year’s fitness and personal care growth goals, which pushed shoppers to spend more on health-based food and drink items.

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “It was a disappointing December for retailers as footfall declined across all shopping locations, as well as in the major cities.

“In the face of rising bills and food costs, many consumers held off for post-Christmas sales, with the week after Christmas the only one to see a significant uplift. Shoppers were also browsing less in the lead up to Christmas, making fewer, but more targeted shopping trips, particularly in Shopping Centres, which saw the largest drop in footfall.”

She added: “Last month’s figures capped a challenging year, with total shopper traffic down in 2025. This marks the third consecutive year of annual footfall decline, reflecting the continuing evolution in shopping habits and the retail landscape.”