An early Easter boosted UK retail sales in March, with food sales driving growth as households increased spending on groceries and seasonal items. Total UK retail sales rose by 3.6% year on year over the five weeks to early April, while food sales climbed by 6.8%, well above recent averages.
The timing of Easter, which fell earlier than usual, shifted seasonal demand into March and supported grocery sales across supermarkets and food retailers. The uplift comes as the sector continues to navigate cautious consumer spending and rising operating costs.
Food sales lead retail growth
Food retail was the main contributor to March’s performance, supported by Easter gatherings and seasonal events such as Mother’s Day and Eid. Retailers reported stronger demand for food and drink as consumers prepared to host family and social occasions.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said “an early Easter provided a much-needed boost to food sales as families came together over the long weekend.”
Industry data shows food sales growth significantly outpaced both the 12-month average and last year’s performance, highlighting the importance of seasonal events in driving grocery sales.
Linda Ellett, UK head of consumer, retail and leisure at KPMG, noted that “food and drink continue to drive monthly retail sales growth,” pointing to inflation as a contributing factor behind higher spend values.
Non-food sales remain subdued
Non-food retail recorded modest growth of 0.9% year on year, reflecting continued pressure on discretionary spending.
Performance varied across categories. Demand remained “robust for computers, toys and homeware,” Dickinson said, while “clothing and footwear continued to struggle.”
Online non-food sales were largely flat, rising by just 0.1%, while store-based sales showed slightly stronger growth.
Ellett said non-food growth “remains tepid,” with consumer caution affecting spending decisions. She added that retailers must focus on pricing, promotions and supply chain resilience to manage ongoing volatility.
Cost pressures and outlook
Despite the Easter-driven uplift, the outlook for UK retail remains uncertain. Rising costs linked to global supply chains and geopolitical disruption are increasing pressure on margins.
Dickinson warned that “rising costs – from shipping and fertiliser to insurance and commodities – are piling yet more pressure onto already stretched retailers.”
At the same time, consumer confidence remains fragile. Sarah Bradbury, chief executive of IGD, said shopper confidence has fallen to its lowest level since 2023, with higher fuel prices and broader cost pressures affecting household budgets.
She added that while seasonal events provided “moments of celebration”, they were not enough to offset wider concerns about rising costs, suggesting that trading conditions may remain challenging in the months ahead.
The March data underlines the continued reliance of UK retail on food sales and seasonal demand, with early Easter timing offering a short-term boost in an otherwise cautious consumer environment.
