Data from the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that retail sales volume in the country increased by 1.4% last month after dropping by 1.2% in March.

During the month, retail sale values unadjusted for price changes increased by 1.9% following a growth of 0.6% in March.

Driven by stronger clothing sales, non-store retail sale volumes rose by 3.7% during the month, recovering from a fall of 6.9% in the previous month.

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Food store sales volumes rose by 2.8% during the month, led by higher strong performance in alcohol, confectionery and tobacco in supermarkets, while supermarket food sales remained unchanged.

The UK’s non-food store sale volumes dropped by 0.6% due to a fall in other non-food stores and household goods stores, but were higher by 2.4% compared to February 2020.

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The sub-sector of other non-food stores posted a 3.3% fall in sales volumes, while household goods stores’ sales volumes declined by 0.5%.

Sales volumes of department stores and clothing stores in the country increased by 1.3% during the month.

In addition, automotive fuel sales volumes increased by 1.4% after dropping by 4.2% in March due to the impact of a record increase in petrol prices on sales.

The proportion of retail sales online grew from 25.9% in March to 27.0% in April.

In a statement, the ONS said: “Compared with the same period a year earlier, sales volumes over the last three months rose by 1.0% while sales values rose by 10.0% reflecting an annual implied deflator (or implied growth in prices) of 9.0%.

“Percentage change over the past year should be interpreted with caution given the impact of coronavirus restrictions and base effects on growth rates.”

Earlier this year, the ONS published data showing that retail sales in the UK declined by 0.3% in February.