Retail sales drop in April as consumers buy less fuel
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has reported that retail sales volumes dropped by 1.3% in April following a rise of 0.6% in March.
This was the biggest monthly decline that the ONS has reported since May last year.
Subscribe to TRBFuel sales dropped by 10.2% as motorists reined in spending after stocking up in March, when prices had surged amid conflict in the Middle East. Retailers told the ONS that motorists were making fewer journeys in April and delaying filling their tanks while prices rose.
Excluding fuel, total retail sales edged down 0.4% as clothing store sales fell by 2.4% due to variable weather, lower demand and increased consumer price sensitivity.
Sales at non-store retailers also declined in the month, which retailers suggested was due to reduced demand and unpredictable weather negatively affecting seasonal campaigns.
Grant Fitzner, ONS chief economist, said: “After strong growth last month, motor fuel sales fell in April, with evidence suggesting motorists were conserving fuel after stocking up in March. These subdued fuel purchases contributed to a sizeable monthly fall for total retail sales in April.”
