Retail sales have fallen once again as poor weather paired with a cost-of-living squeeze continues to dampen spending.
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show sales volumes fell by 2.3% in April, after a 0.2% drop in March, as poor weather led to a reduction in footfall across most retailers.
However, on a three-month basis, volumes edged up 0.7% to the end of April when compared with the previous three months.
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The ONS said food stores sales volumes fell for their third consecutive month in April, mainly because of supermarkets, while non-food retailers experienced the “joint largest fall since January 2021” as volumes fell by 4.1% last month.
British Retail Consortium director of insight Kris Hamer said: “Sales volumes saw significant decline in April, falling for the third time in five months as the gloomy, wet weather combined with the cost of living squeeze dampened spending.
“Cosmetics continued to sell well, and computer sales were boosted thanks to promotional activity and consumers upgrading their tech a few years after the pandemic surge in tech sales.
“Meanwhile, clothing and footwear and furniture failed to deliver due to the poor weather and consumers thinking twice before buying high ticket items.”
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