High street sales bounced back in April after shoppers stayed at home during the ‘Beast from the East’ snow storms in March, new figures reveal today.
The retail sales index was up 1.6 per cent as shoppers spent more as the weather improved, with petrol and household goods leading the rise.
But the data from the Office for National Statistics shows a six month slump is continuing to weigh on retailers.
Marks and Spencer was this week the latest high street giant to reveal its struggles, announcing the closure of scores of stores amid slumping profits.
The news follows the collapse of other retailers including Toys R Us and Maplin earlier this year.
Online shopping now makes more than 17 per cent of all money spent with British retailers, the figures also show.
High street sales bounced back in April after shoppers stayed at home during the ‘Beast from the East’ snow storms in March, new figures reveal today
Petrol sales rose faster than other categories of sales as the new figures showed growth of 4.7 per cent in April
Rob Kent-Smith, Head of National Accounts said: ‘Retail sales bounced back in April, as petrol and other sales recovered from the snowfall. But the underlying position remains subdued with the volume of goods sold over the last six months broadly unchanged.
‘Increases were seen across all sectors in April, except department stores. Department stores declined following relatively strong sales last month, when their online sales were boosted during the adverse weather.
‘Over the longer-term, retail sales growth has slowed considerably, with increases in food, household goods and internet retailers being largely offset by declines across all other types of retailing.’
When compared with March 2018, the amount of goods bought in April increased by 1.6 per cent. All sectors, excluding department stores, recovered from the declines seen in March.
The picture in department stores was different. The amount bought fell by 0.9 per cent in April following strong online sales in March.
Petrol sales rose the most in the new figures with a growth of 4.7 per cent compared with a decline of 6.9 per cent in the previous month as road closures affected travel in March.
When compared with March 2018, the amount of goods bought in April increased by 1.6 per cent. All sectors, excluding department stores, recovered from the declines seen in March
Marks & Spencer, House of Fraser and New Look among other chains have said they plan to close shops.
Clothing retailer Next said earlier this month that warmer weather in April boosted its sales.
The Bank of England is watching for signs that Britain’s economy has recovered from the early 2018 slowdown before it presses ahead with only the second interest rate hike since before the financial crisis.
Figures published yesterday by the Confederation of British Industry showed retail sales picked up moderately in May.
The gauge of inflation used in the retail sales data, the retail price deflator, picked up to 2.2 percent after sinking in March to its lowest since January 2017 at 1.9 percent.