Recent figures from the BRC have shown that UK total retail sales for the five weeks from 25 February to 30 March 2024, increased by 3.5% year-on-year.
While non-food sales experienced a slight decrease of 1.9% year-on-year, the BRC reported that housewares sales during the period were strong.
Helen Dickinson OBE, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, commented: “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.”
The total growth of 3.5% year-on-year was above the three-month average growth of 2.1% and the 12-month average growth of 2.9%.
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.
Online non-food sales decreased by 1.4% year-on-year in March, against a decline of 2.1% in March 2023.
Over the three months to March, food sales increased 6.8% year-on-year.
Helen continued: “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.”
Linda Ellett, UK head of consumer markets, leisure & retail, KPMG, added: “An early Easter showed green shoots of spring for retailers in March, with sales growth up a more positive 3.5% on last year, and above headline inflation for the first time in more than two years.
“As April signals big increases in the sector’s cost base – through the rise in minimum wage rates and business rate hikes for the larger high street brands – retailers will be hoping that the bounce back of March sales is more than just an Easter blip. Economic indicators are heading in the right direction with inflationary pressures easing and interest rates having potentially peaked, however consumer confidence remains fragile, and households continue to keep a close eye on where their tight budgets are being spent. It remains a challenging environment, but as we head into the warmer months, retailers will be hoping that stronger consumer confidence will turn into stronger retail sales, especially in more discretionary categories such as clothing, following an incredibly difficult few years.”
