Sunny weather boosts UK April retail spend, but consumers stay cautious
Barclay said that non-essential spending rose by 5.1%, which was a 21 month high. And retail spending in total rose 6.8% with all retail sub categories seeing growth for the first time since Barclays began tracking them in 2019.
That said, clothing retailers saw spending up 'only' 3.6% (only just edging up above inflation), although transaction growth topped 6% possibly showing that retailers are keeping lid on prices.
Meanwhile, the BRC- KPMG report saw similar figures with total retail sales up 7% against a decline of 4% in April 2024, boosted by the Easter date shift.
Non-food sales increased by 6.1% year on year in April, against a decline of 6% in April 2024. In-store non-food sales increased by 5.6% having declined 6.2% a year ago, and online non-food sales increased by 7% against a decline of 5.5% this time last year.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: 'The sunniest April on record brought with it a boost to retail sales. While the stronger performance was partially a result of Easter falling in April this year, the sunshine prompted strong consumer spending across the board. Clothing sales, where growth has been sluggish in recent months, improved as consumers refreshed their wardrobes for the new season.'
And Linda Ellett, UK head of consumer, retail & leisure at KPMG, added: 'Retail sales have been showing growth for five months now. The pace of that growth picked up in April due to Easter and the drier weather boosting clothing and garden-related sales, while the uptick in house buying ahead of the Stamp Duty changes likely filtered through to furniture and DIY related sales, as well as other homewares.
Returning to the Barclays report, it included some interesting survey results.
Amid ongoing uncertainty, 72% of UK consumers remain concerned about the impact of tariffs on household finances, although this was an improving picture compared to the start of the month (77%). In light of the current state of the global economy, 27% are saving more each month to prepare for potential price increases. Despite these concerns, confidence in household finances remains steady at 70%, with 74% living within their means.
And shoppers are prioritising British-made products, with one in eight willing to pay a premium for UK-based brands.
Meanwhile, consumers are cutting back on self-care to save money. One in five (22%) female respondents are now opting to do at-home treatments, instead of visiting a salon, while 14% are requesting longer-lasting or lower maintenance hair and beauty treatments.
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