UK retail sales jump 7% in April, easter drives growth: BRC

UK total retail sales rose by 7 per cent year on year (YoY) in April 2025, rebounding strongly from a 4 per cent decline in April 2024. The rise was boosted by the Easter holiday falling in April this year, distorting comparisons but pushing growth above the 3-month average of 2.9 per cent and the 12-month average of 1.4 per cent.

“The sunniest April on record brought with it a boost to retail sales. While the stronger performance was partially a result of Easter falling in April this year, the sunshine prompted strong consumer spending across the board. Clothing sales, where growth has been sluggish in recent months, also improved as consumers refreshed their wardrobes for the new season,” Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium (BRC), 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,” stated Linda Ellett, UK head of consumer, retail and leisure, KPMG.

To offset this distortion, combined sales for March and April increased by 4.3 per cent YoY. Non-Food sales rose by 6.1 per cent YoY, against a decline of 6 per cent in April 2024. The growth was above the three-month average of 2.1 per cent and twelve-month average of 0.1 per cent, BRC said in a press release.

In-store non-food sales grew by 5.6 per cent, outperforming the 3-month average of 1.3 per cent and the 12-month average decline of 0.8 per cent.

Online non-food sales rose by 7 per cent, well above the 3-month average growth of 3.4 per cent and the 12-month average of 1.8 per cent. However, the online penetration rate edged down to 36.4 per cent from 36.5 per cent a year ago, remaining below the 12-month average of 36.8 per cent.

"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," suggested Ellett.

“Even a strong April performance will do little to make up for the extra £7 billion (~$9.33 billion) facing the industry 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,” Dickinson remarked.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (HU)