Milton Keynes city centre has started 2026 ahead of national retail trends, with growth in both sales and footfall suggesting a more resilient start to the year than seen elsewhere across the UK.

Figures from MyMiltonKeynes show retail sales in the MK city centre increased by 3.0% in January compared with the same month last year, while national sales fell by 0.7%. Average transaction values also rose by 3.0%, slightly above the UK average of 2.5%, indicating steady consumer spend.

The pace of growth strengthened in February. Sales rose by 5.6% year on year, contrasting with a 4.0% decline nationally. The increase was driven by a 6.4% uplift in revenue per customer, with food and drink, health and beauty, and retail among the strongest-performing sectors.

Footfall trends followed a similar pattern. Visitor numbers increased by 2.6% in January and edged up by 0.1% in February. Nationally, footfall declined over the same period, with a sharper fall recorded in February as poor weather affected many high streets.

Diane Wehrle, Chair of MyMiltonKeynes BID and insights lead at Rendle Intelligence & Insights, said Milton Keynes had begun the year in a strong position compared with other locations. She said: “At a time when much of the UK is experiencing softer trading conditions, Milton Keynes city centre is delivering growth across both sales and footfall.”

She added that the city’s mix of retail, leisure and hospitality continues to attract visitors who are willing to spend. “Consumers are responding to that offer, with increases in both average spend and overall activity,” she said.

The data also points to consistent visitor engagement. More than half of visitors spent over an hour in the city centre, supporting sustained spending across multiple sectors.

Wehrle said the contrast with national performance underlines the city’s relative strength. “To see growth across both January and February, when the national benchmark declined, highlights the resilience of Milton Keynes,” she said.

For businesses, the figures suggest a comparatively stable trading environment, with steady footfall and higher spend per visit providing a supportive backdrop for retail and hospitality operators.

MyMiltonKeynes publishes its City Centre Insights each month, giving businesses access to data on sales, footfall and visitor behaviour to inform investment and operational decisions.