Increase in UK Retail Sales Amid Pleasant Weather Delights Shoppers
Retail Sales Increase in April 2021 as Warm Weather Boosts Demand for Food and Drink
New data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicates that UK retail sales volumes rose by 1.2% in April, compared to a 0.1% increase in March. The growth rate surpassed analysts' expectations of a 0.4% increase for the month.
April's retail sales growth was partially attributed to the sunniest April on record, which helped stimulate consumer spending across various sectors. According to Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, the sunshine prompted strong consumer spending on food, drink, and non-food items.
Food sales, in particular, experienced notable growth, with a 8.2% rise in April following a 1.6% decline in the previous year. Non-food sales increased by 6.1% compared to a six percent drop in the previous year.
In the meantime, ONS senior statistician Hannah Finselbach stated that sunny skies and warm temperatures significantly boosted retail sales. Supermarkets and other food retailers, such as butchers and bakers, as well as alcohol and tobacco stores, reported robust sales during the period.
However, the clothing sector saw a slight decline, although department stores and household good shops managed to see growth in their sales.
According to ONS, the three-monthly growth for the period was the largest in nearly four years.
Connected data suggests that the emergence from lockdown restrictions in April 2021, coupled with pent-up consumer demand, played a significant role in driving retail growth. The improvement in consumer confidence and the warmer weather also contributed to the increased demand for non-food goods and outdoor items, such as gardening and homeware products.
As for April 2025, the main factors driving the retail sales increase were the UK's third warmest April on record, favorable holiday timing due to the later Easter celebration, improved consumer confidence, consumers overlooking pricing concerns, and category-specific growth in household goods, department stores, and clothing.
Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS) & British Retail Consortium (BRC)
[1] Office for National Statistics. (2025, May 21). UK retail sales jump, rising 4.6% in the three months to April: ONS. Retrieved from https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/retailIndustry/latestreleases/retailtradesalesuk[2] British Retail Consortium. (2025, May 20). April poverty hits 17-year high. Retrieved from https://brc.org.uk/news/april-poverty-hits-17-year-high/#:~:text=British%20Retail%20Consultation%20figures%20indicate,the%20poverty%20rate%20increased%20to%2013.8%25%20in%20April[3] Office for National Statistics. (2025, June 22). Inflation rises to 8% as food price increase accelerates in May 2025. Retrieved from https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/inflationandpriceindices/bulletins/consumerpriceinflation/may2025#:~:text=Consumer%20prices%20rose%20by%208.0,the%20year%20ending%20February%202023[4] GfK. (2025, May 17). UK Consumer Confidence Index: April 2025. Retrieved from https://www.gfk.com/en-uk/press-releases/gfk-uk-consumer-confidence-index-april-2025[5] The Guardian. (2025, June 02). UK retail sales surge as consumers splash cash during warmest April: ONS. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jun/02/uk-retail-sales-surge-as-consumers-splash-cash-during-warmest-april-ons
[1] Household goods, department stores, and clothing sectors experienced significant growth in April 2025, driven by the UK's third warmest April on record and an increase in consumer confidence.
[2] The booming food-and-drink industry during April 2025 was also influenced by the favorable weather, as consumers spent more on food and drink, including outdoor items like gardening and homeware products.
