April Retail Sales Take a Wet‑Dry Dip
When rain pours, the high street tends to stay dry. That was the case in April, where retail spending slipped 2.3%, catching economists off guard.
Why the dip?
- Weather woes: Midnight drizzles turned foot traffic into puddles.
- Holiday rush postponed: Seasonal shoppers stayed in their cosy bungalows rather than the bustling shopfronts.
- Sector‑specific hits: Clothing, sports gear, toys, games and furniture stores felt the brunt the hardest.
Sales tables, not just numbers
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), non‑food shop sales took a steep 4.1% plunge – the biggest fall since January 2021. March had already seen a 0.2% drop, but analysts had pencilled in a 0.6% slide.
“All’s fine but… right?” – Insights from Deloitte
Oliver Vernon‑Harcourt, retail lead at Deloitte, weighed in:
“April’s retail sales were more disappointing than expected, once again being dampened by wet weather, deterring shoppers from the high street and impacting the sale of seasonal items.”
He added:
“”Though consumer confidence continues to rise, many remain apprehensive and are not yet loosening their purse strings, especially on non‑essential items and goods such as clothing and footwear.”
Key take‑aways from the report:
- Value first: Own‑label foods stay resilient while shoppers look for bargains.
- Retailers’ road to recovery: To bounce back, they’ll need to keep expanding ranges that speak to every budget.
- Patience wins: Inflations easing is a good sign, but the patience to reach customers remains vital.
What’s next?
Retailers can play the field by curating product mixes that hit different price points and by listening to what consumers truly want: value, convenience, and that extra touch of delight to brighten up a rainy day.
