UK retail sales has experienced a 7% year on year (YoY) increase in April 2025, contrasting with a 4% decrease in the same month last year.
This performance exceeded both the three-month average growth rate of 2.9% and the 12-month average of 1.4%.
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When examining March and April collectively, to account for variances in the timing of Easter from year to year, there was a combined increase of 4.3% compared to the two-month period in 2024.
Breaking down the categories, food sales saw an 8.2% rise compared to the previous year’s decline of 1.6% in April. This figure surpassed the three-month average growth of 3.9% and the 12-month average growth of 2.9%.
Nonfood retail sales also saw an uplift, with a 6.1% increase over last year’s 6% drop in April. This growth outpaced the three-month average increase of 2.1% and was significantly higher than the 12-month average growth of just 0.1%.
British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “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.
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By GlobalData“Food sales performed well as people brought together their family and friends for Easter celebrations, while sales of DIY, homeware and gardening goods shone bright as people made the most of the weather. Clothing sales, where growth has been sluggish in recent months, also improved as consumers refreshed their wardrobes for the new season.”
Physical store sales within the nonfood sector improved by 5.6% YoY in April, which was a recovery from a 6.2% decline during the same period in 2024. The growth exceeded both the three-month average of 1.3% and reversed the 12-month average decline of 0.8%.
Online nonfood sales in the UK also enjoyed a resurgence with a 7% increase over last year’s decline of 5.5%. This performance was better than both the three-month average growth rate of 3.4% and the 12-month average growth rate of 1.8%.
However, online penetration rate for nonfood items dipped slightly to 36.4% in April from 36.5% in April of the previous year, falling below the annual average penetration rate of 36.8%.
Dickinson added: “But clouds loom on the horizon as new costs begin to bite. Even a strong April performance will do little to make up for the extra £7bn ($9.33bn) facing the industry this year. Both employer National Insurance Contributions and the National Living Wage rose last month, and retailers face another £2bn bill when a new packaging tax comes in later 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.”
The latest Confederation of British Industry Distributive Trades Survey observed a deceleration in the decrease of sales volumes over the year leading up to April 2025, following a significant reduction in March.
