This was above the three-month common development of two.9% and the 12-month common of 1.4%.
As Easter was in March final yr, the monitor has measured March and April collectively, in contrast with the identical two months final yr, to be able to mitigate the year-on-year timing of Easter. UK complete retail gross sales elevated by 4.3% yr on yr for the two-month interval.
Non-food gross sales rose by 6.1% yr on yr in April, in contrast with a decline of 6% in April 2024. This was above the three month common development of two.1% and above the 12-month common development of 0.1%.
In-store non-food gross sales climbed by 5.6% yr on yr in April, in opposition to a drop of 6.2% in April 2024. This was above the three-month common development of 1.3% and the 12-month common decline of 0.8%.
On-line non-food gross sales jumped by 7% yr on yr in April, in opposition to a 5.5% lower in April 2024. This was above the three-month common development of three.4% and the 12-month common development of 1.8%.
The proportion of non-food gadgets purchased on-line decreased incrementally to 36.4% in April from 36.5% in April 2024. This was beneath the 12-month common of 36.8%.
Helen Dickinson, CEO, British Retail Consortium (BRC), mentioned: “The sunniest April on report introduced with it a lift to retail gross sales. Whereas the stronger efficiency was partially a results of Easter falling in April this yr, the sunshine prompted sturdy shopper spending throughout the board.
“Clothes gross sales, the place development has been sluggish in latest months, additionally improved as shoppers refreshed their wardrobes for the brand new season.”
“However clouds loom on the horizon as new prices start to chew. Even a robust April efficiency will do little to make up for the additional £7bn going through the business this yr. Each Employer Nationwide Insurance coverage Contributions and the Nationwide Residing Wage rose final month, and retailers face one other £2bn invoice when a brand new packaging tax is available in later this yr.
“If the federal government desires to safe the way forward for our excessive streets, then it should make sure that no store pays extra because of the upcoming enterprise charges reforms, or will probably be our native communities that pay the value.”
