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UK Retail Sales Surge 7% in April, Marking Largest Growth Since Pandemic

Sunny weather and a late Easter drive robust consumer spending across food, non-food, and clothing sectors despite economic pressures.

People shop on Oxford Street in London, Britain April 10, 2023. REUTERS/Anna Gordon
The Uk’s sunniest April on record helped to boost retail sales
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Overview

  • April 2025 retail sales increased by 7.0% year-on-year, the highest monthly growth since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the British Retail Consortium.
  • A late Easter and the sunniest April on record spurred strong sales, with food sales up 8.2% and non-food categories, including DIY and gardening, rising by 6.1%.
  • Barclays reported a 4.5% annual increase in card spending for April, the largest jump since June 2023, reflecting consumer resilience despite financial concerns.
  • Household financial confidence remains steady at 70%, even as 72% of consumers express worries about tariff impacts on their budgets.
  • Retailers face ongoing challenges from rising operational costs, including wage increases and upcoming packaging taxes, estimated to add £9 billion in expenses this year.