The CBI retail sales balance improved to -10 in November 2026 from -55 in October, the highest since April 2025 and above market expectations of -47. Retailers reported the smallest annual decline in sales in 18 months, while sales relative to the time of year were the strongest since May 2024. Expectations for November sales also improved, with the balance rising to -10 from -37, while the supplier orders balance recovered to -36 in October from September’s record low of -62. Despite these signs of stabilisation, the CBI warned that the outlook remained fragile amid cautious household spending and higher fuel costs. The organisation urged Finance Minister John Healey to reduce employers’ social security contributions and property taxes in Wednesday’s budget. The improvement contrasts with recent indicators showing annual retail sales growth slowing to 0.8% in September from 2.7% in August, while GfK consumer confidence recorded its steepest decline since the pandemic in October.