Online retail sales saw a year-on-year increase of 13.7 per cent in February – continuing the pattern of growth in the sector, but at a slower pace than reported last year.

This is according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which found that internet sales now account for 17.2 per cent of all retail sales – up from 15.6 per cent in 2017. Average weekly spending online increased in February to £1.23 billion, compared with the £1.19 billion reported in January.

In terms of total retail, the quantity bought increased by 0.8 per cent when compared with the previous month, with increases seen across all main sectors except non-food stores. Over the three months to February, the quantity bought provides a different picture with a decline of 0.4 per cent, coinciding with continued rising food store prices.

Commenting on the figures, Rhian Murphy, senior statistician at the ONS, said: “Retail sales did grow in February, with increases seen in food, non-store and fuel, but this followed two months of decline in these sectors. However, the underlying three-month picture is one of falling sales, mainly due to strong declines across all main sectors in December.

“Store prices continue to rise across all store types, but at a lower rate than the previous month due to a slowdown in price growth, though clothing and household goods stores continued to see stronger price rises.”

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