Total retail sales across discretionary spending categories, including fashion, homeware and lifestyle, grew by just +1.9% in February compared to 2025, says BDO’s High Street Sales Tracker.

This marks the tenth month out of the past 12 were sales growth has been below inflation. While in-store sales rebounded briefly in January as a result of heavy discounting, February saw the High Street record an “anaemic performance” as sales remained flat (+0.6%), it said.

BDO blamed sluggish Valentine’s Day performance on slower February sales, with Sophie Michael, Head of Retail and Wholesale at BDO, saying that “despite the seasonal boost typically associated with Valentine’s Day, there was no sign of consumers rekindling their love for the High Street.”

While trade around Valentine’s Day may have been slower on the High Street, data from Scurri showed that the seasonal gifting event prompted a boost in digital sales. Its figures pointed to an online order surge in the lead up to Valentine’s Day 2026, with Sun 08 Feb 2026 recording the highest uplift, +103% year-on-year.

BDO also attributed February’s flat performance to ongoing fragile consumer demand across discretionary spending.

“Whilst inflation has fallen and we’ve seen reports of a small uptick in consumer confidence regarding personal finances, the economic climate remains highly uncertain,” Michael added. “This creates a perfect storm of challenges… [and] spending in discretionary categories remains extremely weak.”

“Looking ahead, retailers must find new ways to adapt and innovate in order to encourage shoppers to part with their hard-earned cash or risk experiencing a Spring that feels as bleak as Winter,” she concluded.