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UK Retail Sales Surge 1.2% in April, Marking Strongest Quarterly Growth Since 2021

Warm weather and Easter holiday fuel food sales spike, while rising costs threaten retail margins.

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Retail spending was at its highest in April since July 2022, according to official figures

Overview

  • Retail sales volumes in the UK rose by 1.2% in April, exceeding analysts' forecasts of 0.4%.
  • Food sales led the growth with a 3.9% increase, attributed to sunny weather and Easter celebrations.
  • Department stores and household goods saw gains of 2.8% and 2.1%, while clothing and footwear sales declined by 1.8%.
  • Wages grew 5.6% year-on-year to March, outpacing inflation and supporting consumer spending.
  • Retailers face mounting cost pressures, with an additional £5 billion from National Insurance and wage hikes, set to rise to £7 billion with a new packaging tax later this year.