A360
Key Takeaways✦ Atlas AI
01
Retail sales fell 1.3% in April.
02
Fuel purchases dropped over 10%.
03
Non-food sales also saw declines.
Atlas AI
UK Retail Sales Decline in April
Retail sales volumes in Great Britain decreased by 1.3% in April compared to March, driven primarily by a significant reduction in fuel purchases. This decline marks the largest monthly contraction since May of the previous year, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The primary driver of this downturn was a more than 10% month-on-month plunge in fuel purchases, representing the steepest decline since November 2020. This reduction followed a 6.1% increase in fuel sales in March, which was attributed to consumers stocking up amid concerns over rising prices and geopolitical tensions. Excluding the impact of fuel sales, total retail sales still saw a 0.4% month-on-month decrease.
The overall retail sales volume in April was 1.3% lower than the previous month, contrasting with a revised 0.6% growth in March. Sales at non-food stores, including clothing, also fell by 0.4% in April, with clothing stores experiencing a 2.4% decline. This suggests broader consumer caution, potentially influenced by economic factors and variable weather conditions.
