Retail sales boost as customers spend for sunny weather and Easter holidays

Total retail sales jumped 7% year on year in April, compared to a 4% decline during the month in 2024, according to the latest BRC-KPMG retail sales monitor.

For March and April together, to better reflect year-on-year sales periods including Easter, total retail sales were up 4.3%.

Food sales for the period jumped 8.2%, compared to a 1.6% decline for the same period the previous year. While in-store, non-food sales increased by 5.6%, compared to a 6.2% decline in April 2024.

Online non-food sales jumped 7% year on year, compared to a 5.5% fall in 2024, but online penetration rates retreated slightly to 36.4%, compared to 36.5% in the previous year.

British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson said the “sunniest April on record brought with it a boost to retail sales”, but warned of “clouds” looming on the horizon for the sector.

“While the stronger performance was partially a result of Easter falling in April this year, the sunshine prompted strong consumer spending across the board. Food sales performed well as people brought together their family and friends for Easter celebrations, while sales of DIY, homeware and gardening goods shone bright as people made the most of the weather.

“Clothing sales, where growth has been sluggish in recent months, also improved as consumers refreshed their wardrobes for the new season,” she said.

“But clouds loom on the horizon as new costs begin to bite. Even a strong April performance will do little to make up for the extra £7bn facing the industry this year. Both employer national insurance contributions and the national living wage rose last month, and retailers face another £2bn bill when a new packaging tax comes in later this year.

“If the government wants to secure the future of our high streets, then it must ensure that no shop pays more as a result of the upcoming business rates reforms, or it will be our local communities that pay the price.”

KPMG UK head of consumer, retail and leisure Linda Ellet said: “Retail sales have been showing growth for five months now. The pace of that growth picked up in April due to Easter and the drier weather boosting clothing and garden-related sales, while the uptick in house buying ahead of the Stamp Duty changes likely filtered through to furniture and DIY related sales, as well as other homewares.

“Consumers tell us they are still taking steps to manage their household budgets, so retailers will need to focus on how they can continue to unlock spending over the coming months to keep the growth going—including capitalising on purchases related to strong summer holiday demand.”