UK retail sales rise more than expected in April

Retail sales climbed by 0.5% after falling by 1.2% in March. This was more than the 0.3% growth predicted by experts.

Food shop sales increased by 0.7%, while non-food store sales increased by 1%. Other retail and department store sales increased by 2.1% and 1.7%, respectively, month over month.

ONS Chief Economist Grant Fitzner said: “Retail sales grew, partially rebounding from a poor weather affected March, with jewellers, sports retailers and department stores all having a good month. Despite continued high food prices, supermarkets also recovered from the fall in March.

“However, these were partly offset by a drop in the amount of fuel sold, despite prices also dropping.”

“The boost to household incomes from the larger-than-usual rises in the state pension, welfare payments and minimum wage in early April and the government’s first 2023/24 cost of living payment of £301 to welfare recipients (which was paid between 25th April and 17th May) probably played a part too,” he said.