The ONS said sales volumes fell most in supermarkets, but also dropped in smaller specialist food stores as well as “off-licences and tobacconists”.
The figures were also disappointing for food stores in 2024 as a whole.
In the year, all main sectors, except food stores, saw sales volumes rise. But the ONS added that “despite food stores’ sales falling in 2024, this was a smaller fall than in 2022 and 2023.
Overall retail sales volumes fell by 0.3% in December, following a small rise of 0.1% in November.
Analysts said the results were disappointing, but added that some grocery stores had performed much better than others.
Silvia Rindone, EY’s retail lead in UK and Ireland, said: “Despite the overall mixed results, several food retailers saw record sales in December driven by growth in premium own-label products as consumers opted to splash out over the festive season.
“Today’s figures demonstrate the growing divide between retailers who have adapted to changing market conditions and those who have not.
“The latter are increasingly falling behind as consumers become more selective about their spending.”
Nathan Peacey, head of retail at Foot Anstey, agreed.
He said: “Sitting behind the headlines are winners and losers. Tesco posting a golden quarter contrasts sharply with the likes of Asda’s disappointing year-end.”
Peacey added that 2025 was unlikely to provide any immediate relief to troubled retailers.
He said: “As we enter 2025, the pressures will only continue to build with cost and regulatory challenges down the track, meaning margins will remain squeezed across the board.
“We can expect to see retailers focused on managing costs and improving efficiencies in the year ahead by pausing investment, particularly in bricks and mortar, raising prices and holding back on wage rises.”