UK retail sales saw a slight increase in December, boosted by online jewellery sales, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Despite this surge, overall retail sales volumes declined by 0.3% in the last quarter of 2025 and remained below pre-pandemic levels, reflecting continued volatility in the retail market, BBC Business reported.

The ONS cited increased demand for precious metals such as gold and silver from online jewellers as the primary driver of the 0.4% monthly rise. Internet shopping performed well overall, with supermarkets and automotive fuel sales also experiencing small increases. However, sales for non-food retailers, including department, clothing, and household stores, were down 0.9%, according to the ONS.

While annual retail sales showed a second consecutive rise, they still have not recovered to 2019 levels, BBC Business noted. The December increase followed an unexpected drop in sales in November, even with Black Friday sales included.

In other business news, Apple achieved record iPhone shipments in India during 2025, reaching approximately 14 million units and a 9% market share, TechCrunch reported. This growth occurred despite a largely stagnant overall smartphone market in India. Apple's success stemmed from increased demand, a diverse product range, and expanded availability, as the company strategically invested in local manufacturing and retail presence, including the opening of its fifth store in India, to further penetrate this key market.

Intel's Q4 2025 earnings revealed strong demand for data center and AI products, offsetting declines in consumer computing, Ars Technica reported. However, supply chain constraints are forcing Intel to prioritize chip allocation towards profitable sectors, potentially leading to shortages or price increases for upcoming Core Ultra Series 3 "Panther Lake" processors. This strategic shift reflects Intel's focus on high-growth areas amidst ongoing manufacturing challenges.

Meanwhile, Telly, the ad-supported TV startup, faced challenges in fulfilling its initial shipment goals, having only deployed 35,000 of its "free" TVs by Q3 2025, significantly below the projected 500,000 units by summer 2023, Ars Technica reported. Despite claiming a $1,000 value per TV and plans to ship millions in 2024, the company's slow rollout, as revealed in an investor note, may impact its ad revenue model and market position. A planned order of 100,000 TVs from Foxconn suggests potential delivery increases. The company's business model relies on user data collection and constant ad display, raising questions about consumer acceptance and long-term viability. Initial sign-ups reached 250,000 users in June 2023.

Home Depot is offering various discounts, including up to $100 off, to attract customers both online and in-store, leveraging techniques similar to how AI algorithms personalize shopping experiences, Wired reported. By using newsletters, text alerts, and subscription services, Home Depot gathers user data to provide targeted promotions, mirroring AI's data-driven approach to optimize customer engagement and sales.

In other market news, the S&P 500 is on track for its first two-week losing streak since June amidst volatile trading, while silver prices have surged, exceeding $100, Bloomberg reported.