Shop gross sales droop in April hit by heavy rain | EUROtoday

Retail gross sales fell by far more than anticipated in April as heavy rain saved buyers at residence.

Sales volumes fell by 2.3% from the month earlier than. Analysts had anticipated a drop of about 0.5%.

Clothing retailers, sports activities tools, video games and toys shops, and furnishings shops all did significantly badly as poor climate lowered footfall, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) stated.

March’s determine was additionally revised down to point out a 0.2% fall from February, whereas beforehand gross sales had been estimated as flat.

April noticed storms and heavy rainfall, with a number of flood warnings issued throughout the UK.

Online gross sales, that are normally much less affected by unhealthy climate, additionally fell 1.2% on the month.

Although the ONS says gross sales figures are seasonally adjusted, final 12 months Easter fell in April and this 12 months it was in March, which typically is just not absolutely allowed for.

More broadly, there was a 0.7% rise within the three months to April 2024 when put next with the three months to January 2024, however the ONS stated this was primarily due to an exceptionally poor December 2023.