Easter helps retail sales jump 3.5% in March
It comes as food sales increased 6.8% year on year over the three months to March, against a growth of 8.5% in March 2023
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UK Total retail sales increased by 3.5% year on year in March, as the early Easter helped boost performance for the month, according to the latest BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor.
The increase was above the three-month average growth of 2.1% and the 12-month average growth of 2.9%.
It comes as food sales increased 6.8% year on year over the three months to March, against a growth of 8.5% in March 2023. This is below the 12-month average growth of 7.7%.
Meanwhile, non-food sales decreased 1.9% year on year over the three-months to March, against a growth of 1.8% in March 2023. This is steeper than the 12-month average decline of 1.1%. For the month of March, non-food was in decline year-on-year.
In-store non-food sales over the three months to March decreased 1.1% year on year, against a growth of 5.2% in March 2023. This is below the 12-month average of 0.0%.
The monitor also revealed online non-food sales decreased by 1.4% year on year in March, against a decline of 2.1% in March 2023. This was shallower than the three-month and 12-month declines of 3.1% and 2.8% respectively.
Helen Dickinson OBE, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “While retail sales growth improved last month, this was largely driven by Easter falling unusually early and the subsequent uplift to food sales in the week preceding the long weekend. Easter also boosted sales of non-food products such as cookware and tableware, as people readied themselves to host family and friends. Home textiles such as throws and pillows were also popular as consumers sought to spruce up their homes ahead of Spring. Elsewhere, wet weather dampened sales of garden furniture, BBQs, DIY products, and clothing and footwear.
“After a difficult start to the year, retailers are hopeful that with warmer weather around the corner, consumer confidence will spring back up. A strong retail industry can boost investment across our towns and cities, and as we gear up for a general election, it is essential the next government recognises this and rethinks the burdensome costs imposed on retailers. With a pro-growth policy landscape, retailers can step up their investment in innovation and in local jobs and communities up and down the country.”
