Poor weather and an earlier Easter led to disappointing retail sales for April, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
The trade association reported UK total retail sales were down 4% for the four weeks 31 March to 27 April, compared to a growth of 5.1% the same time last year.
However, noting the calendar change this year, the BRC said the average growth for March and April together was 0.2%, correcting for the distortion created by the earlier timing of Easter.
Food sales nudged up 4.4% over the three months to April, from a 9.8% rise in April 2023, while food was in decline year-on-year for the month of April.
Non-food was also in decline as revenues fell 2.8% for the three months to April, from 1.2% growth in April last year.
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BRC CEO Helen Dickinson said: “Dismal weather and disappointing sales led to a depressing start to spring for retailers, even accounting for the change in timing of Easter.
“People delayed typical spring purchases despite retailers’ attempts to entice customers with heavy discounts. A dull, wet April dampened sales growth for clothing and footwear, especially outdoor sportswear, as well as DIY and garden furniture.”
She continued: “Promotions in computing did boost sales as many sought to upgrade their tech a few years post the pandemic surge in tech sales.
“Many retailers are hoping for brighter sales over the summer months as social events ramp up, and consumer confidence could improve with a potential cut in interest rates.”
Last week, the BRC reported footfall across retail plunged in April, as poor weather and an earlier run-up to Easter took its toll. Total UK shopper visitors fell 7.2% last month, down from a 1.3% decline in March.
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