Responding to the latest ONS Retail Sales Index
figures, which showed sales down 1.5% by value, and down 3.0%
by volume, Kris Hamer, Director of Insight at the British Retail
Consortium, said:
“Sales volumes saw significant decline in
April, falling for the third time in five months as the gloomy,
wet weather combined with the cost of living squeeze dampened
spending. Cosmetics continued to sell well, and computer sales
were boosted thanks to promotional activity and consumers
upgrading their tech a few years after the pandemic surge in tech
sales. Meanwhile, clothing and footwear and furniture failed to
deliver due to the poor weather and consumers thinking twice
before buying high ticket items.
“With summer around the corner, and inflation fast approaching
the Bank of England's 2% target, retailers are hopeful that
consumer confidence will improve, and spending will pick up once
again. Retail is crucial to healthy local economies, and if the
next Government wants to boost growth and jobs in left behind
regions, it must help unlock retail investment right across the
country. With a General Election fast approaching, political
parties must ensure their manifestos detail how they will support
retail, the three million people it employs, and the 60 million
people it serves.”
-ENDS-
According to the ONS, on a
Year-on-year seasonally adjusted
basis:
-
Sales by Value (amount spent) decreased
1.5% YoY
-
Sales by Volume (quantity bought)
decreased 3.0% YoY
