Core Insights - The average price for the top 500 items in October 2025 increased by 3.0% year-over-year, slightly up from a 2.9% increase in September 2025 [6][8] - Same-store sales rose by 5.7% year-over-year in October 2025, showing a slight decrease of 0.7% compared to September 2025 [5][6] - The NRS retail network included approximately 37,900 active terminals across about 32,900 independent retailers, primarily serving urban consumers [2][12] Sales Performance - Same-store sales increased by 5.7% year-over-year, compared to a 5.8% increase in September 2025 [5] - For the three months ending October 31, 2025, same-store sales rose by 5.8% compared to the same period a year ago [6] - Units sold increased by 1.3% year-over-year but decreased by 1.8% compared to September 2025 [6] Transaction Metrics - The number of baskets (transactions) per store increased by 0.1% year-over-year but decreased by 2.6% compared to September 2025 [6] - The NRS POS terminals processed $2.15 billion in sales during October 2025, representing a 17% year-over-year increase [12] Consumer Trends - Year-over-year growth was driven by categories such as cigarettes, prepared cocktails, smokeless tobacco, energy beverages, and wine-based cocktails [8] - The data indicates healthy consumer engagement as the holiday season approaches, with expected growth in high-velocity categories like beverages and tobacco alternatives [9]

Independent retailers are urging Chancellor Rachel Reeves to use the autumn statement to restore business confidence, warning that uncertainty and rising costs are weighing on the UK high street and risking a slowdown in economic growth. Fresh survey data from the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) points to weaker trading in late 2025 and subdued expectations for 2026, with business rates reform emerging as the sector’s top ask. Confidence dips ahead of the autumn statement Bira’s latest ...

Core Insights - NRSInsights reported a 5.8% year-over-year increase in same-store sales for July 2025, marking the highest growth rate in over a year [6][10] - The NRS retail network includes approximately 37,200 active terminals across 32,100 independent retailers, primarily serving urban consumers [2][14] - The data reflects a total of $2.1 billion in sales processed through NRS POS terminals in July 2025, an 18% increase year-over-year [14] Sales Performance - Same-store sales increased 5.8% year-over-year and 0.3% month-over-month compared to June 2025 [6] - For the three months ending July 31, 2025, same-store sales rose 4.2% compared to the same period last year [6] - Units sold increased by 3.2% year-over-year but decreased by 1.5% compared to June 2025 [6] Transaction Metrics - The number of baskets (transactions) per store increased by 1.5% year-over-year but decreased by 0.4% compared to June 2025 [6] - The average price of the top 500 items purchased rose by 2.9% year-over-year, slightly higher than the 2.7% increase recorded in June 2025 [6] Comparative Analysis - Over the past twelve months, the U.S. Commerce Department's Advance Monthly Retail Trade data, excluding food services, outpaced the NRS network's three-month moving average same-store sales by 0.2% on average [8] - In June, the NRS network's three-month rolling average increase exceeded the U.S. Commerce Department's by 0.9% [8] Consumer Behavior Insights - Beverage categories, including energy drinks and soft drinks, contributed significantly to sales growth, while certain snack categories faced challenges [11] - Shifts in consumer behavior have led to increased demand for prepared cocktails and nutrition shakes [11] Transaction Volume - Same-store data comparisons for July 2025 were based on approximately 226 million transactions processed through about 23,000 stores [12] - For the three months ending July 31, 2025, comparisons were derived from approximately 649 million scanned transactions [13]

Core Insights - NRSInsights reported a 3.5% year-over-year increase in same-store sales for June 2025, following a 4.9% increase in May 2025 [5][11] - The NRS retail network includes approximately 36,600 active terminals across 31,700 independent retailers, primarily serving urban consumers [2][15] - The three-month rolling average of same-store sales increased by 4.6% compared to the same period last year, marking the highest growth in the past 12 months [11] Sales Performance - Same-store sales remained unchanged from May 2025, which had a 3.8% increase compared to April 2025 [6] - Units sold increased by 3.0% year-over-year, with a 0.7% increase compared to May 2025 [6] - Average prices for the top 500 items purchased rose by 2.7% year-over-year, a slight decrease from the 2.9% increase in May 2025 [6] Transaction Data - The number of baskets (transactions) per store was unchanged year-over-year, but increased by 0.6% compared to May 2025 [6] - NRS processed $2.1 billion in sales during June 2025, representing a 15% year-over-year increase across 140 million transactions [15] Market Trends - Categories such as modern oral nicotine, energy drinks, prepared cocktails, and chocolate showed significant growth, with chocolate alone increasing by 8% year-over-year [12] - Some traditionally seasonal categories, like sports drinks and frozen novelties, experienced growth compared to the previous month but declined compared to June 2024 [12] Comparative Analysis - Over the past twelve months, the U.S. Commerce Department's Advance Monthly Retail Trade data outpaced NRS's three-month moving average same-store sales by an average of 0.1% [9] - The NRSInsights data is based on approximately 220 million transactions processed through 22,600 stores for June 2025 comparisons [13]

Core Insights - NRSInsights reported a 4.3% year-over-year increase in same-store sales for April 2025, indicating strong consumer spending resilience [5][11] - The NRS retail network includes approximately 35,600 active terminals across 31,000 independent retailers, primarily serving urban consumers [2][16] Sales Performance - Same-store sales rose 0.6% month-over-month from March 2025, which had a 5.3% increase compared to February 2025 [5] - For the three months ending April 30, 2025, same-store sales increased 2.8% compared to the same period last year [5] - Units sold increased by 2.5% year-over-year but decreased by 0.8% compared to March 2025 [5] - The average price of the top 500 items purchased increased by 2.3% year-over-year, up from 2.1% in March 2025 [6] Transaction Metrics - The number of baskets (transactions) per store increased by 1.3% year-over-year and by 2.7% compared to March 2025 [5] - NRS processed $1.9 billion in sales during April 2025, representing a 17% year-over-year increase across 133 million transactions [16] Market Comparison - Over the past twelve months, NRS's three-month moving average same-store sales outperformed the U.S. Commerce Department's data by an average of 0.5% [9] - In March 2025, the U.S. Commerce Department's three-month rolling average increase exceeded that of NRS by 1.6% [9] Commentary on Trends - The increase in same-store sales was driven by strong performance in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage categories, with tequila and ready-to-drink cocktails showing significant growth [11][12] - Non-alcoholic beverages like soft drinks and energy drinks led sales, while sports drinks saw a slight decline [12] - Candy sales remained flat overall, with chocolate sales increasing [12]

Core Insights - NRSInsights reported a year-over-year increase in same-store sales of 2.3% for March 2025, down from a 3.5% increase in February 2025 [6][12] - The NRS retail network includes approximately 35,200 active terminals across 30,700 independent retailers, primarily serving urban consumers [2][18] Sales Performance - Same-store sales increased by 5.3% compared to February 2025, which had a 6.1% increase from January 2025 [7] - For the three months ending March 31, 2025, same-store sales rose by 2.9% compared to the same period last year [7] - Units sold increased by 2.4% year-over-year, with a 4.9% increase compared to February 2025 [7] - Average prices for the top 500 items purchased rose by 2.1% year-over-year, slightly lower than the 2.3% increase in February 2025 [7] Transaction Metrics - Baskets (transactions) per store increased by 0.2% year-over-year and by 6.2% compared to February 2025 [7] - The NRS network processed $2.0 billion in sales during March 2025, representing a 16% year-over-year increase [18] Category Performance - Strong sales were noted in categories such as Energy Beverages, Soft Drinks, and Modern Oral Smokeless Tobacco, while Chocolates and Gum also showed positive growth [12][13] - Categories with decreased sales included Beer, Whiskey, and Salty Snacks, with notable declines in Tortilla Chips and Potato Chips [14] Comparative Analysis - Over the past twelve months, the NRS network's three-month moving average same-store sales outperformed the U.S. Commerce Department's data by an average of 0.8% [10] - In March, the U.S. Commerce Department's three-month rolling average increase exceeded that of the NRS network by 0.8% [10]

Core Insights - NRSInsights reported a year-over-year increase in same-store sales of 2.3% for March 2025, a decrease from the 3.5% increase in February 2025 [6][11] - The NRS retail network includes approximately 35,200 active terminals across 30,700 independent retailers, primarily serving urban consumers [2][17] - The data indicates a general cooling of inflationary pressures, with dollar sales increases being geographically widespread [11] Sales Performance - Same-store sales increased 5.3% compared to February 2025, while units sold increased 2.4% year-over-year [6][7] - For the three months ending March 31, 2025, same-store sales rose 2.9% compared to the same period last year [7][16] - Average prices for the top 500 items purchased increased by 2.1% year-over-year, slightly lower than the 2.3% increase in February 2025 [6][12] Transaction Metrics - Units sold increased by 4.9% compared to February 2025, while baskets (transactions) per store increased by 0.2% year-over-year [7][12] - Baskets per store saw a significant increase of 6.2% compared to the previous month [7][12] Category Performance - Strong sales were noted in categories such as Energy Beverages, Soft Drinks, and Modern Oral Smokeless Tobacco, while Chocolates also performed well [11][12] - Categories experiencing decreased sales included Beer, Whiskey, and various snacks, with notable exceptions like Tequila showing gains [12][13] Comparative Data - Over the past twelve months, the NRS network's three-month moving average same-store sales outpaced the U.S. Commerce Department's data by an average of 0.8% [9] - In March, the U.S. Commerce Department's three-month rolling average increase exceeded that of the NRS network by 0.8% [9] Transaction Volume - In March 2025, NRS' POS terminals processed $2.0 billion in sales, representing a 16% year-over-year increase across 134 million transactions [17]