The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has reported a downturn in retail sales for April, attributing the decline to unfavorable weather conditions and an earlier Easter period. According to the trade association, total retail sales in the UK experienced a 4 percent decrease for the four-week period from March 31 to April 27, marking a significant contrast to the 5.1% growth observed during the same period last year.
However, the BRC emphasized the importance of considering the calendar shift this year, noting that the average growth for March and April combined stood at 0.2 percent, once the distortion caused by the earlier Easter timing was accounted for. Non-food revenues witnessed a decline of 2.8 percent for the three-month period ending in April, contrasting with a 1.2 percent growth recorded in April last year, with April’s non-food sales also registering a year-on-year decrease.
Helen Dickinson, CEO of the BRC, commented on the disappointing sales figures, stating: “Dismal weather and disappointing sales led to a depressing start to spring for retailers, even accounting for the change in timing of Easter.” She continued: “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.”
Total shopper visitors in the UK fell by 7.2 percent last month, a stark contrast to the 1.3% decline witnessed in March.
