Overview
- The Office for National Statistics’ April release published on May 22 shows total retail volumes fell 1.3% month-on-month, the biggest monthly drop in nearly a year.
- Motor fuel purchases plunged about 10.2% in April after motorists stocked up in March, and that fall was the main drag on overall retail volumes.
- Sales excluding fuel were also weak, down 0.4% for the month, with clothing retailers hit hardest at roughly a 2.4% decline.
- Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced temporary VAT cuts for children’s food and attraction tickets and extended fuel duty relief as targeted measures to support living standards and shops.
- Despite the monthly slump, three-month retail volumes rose 0.5% and annual sales were about 1.1% higher, leaving some sectors such as beauty and tech showing resilience even as consumer confidence falls.