March Retail Scene: Sunny Boosts Sales, Not Just Sunshine
According to the most recent Office for National Statistics snapshot, retail sales ticked up 0.4% in March compared to February.
Who Was Stalked by the Forecasts?
Forecasters had worried that the High Street might slump, as the economy’s mood looked a bit gloomy. But both in‑store and online numbers defied those fears.
What Made March a Goldmine?
- England’s Met Office declared it the brightest March ever recorded since 1910, with sunshine up by 59%.
- Thanks to the sunny vibe, spring fashion got a hit – clothing and footwear sales surged by 3.7%.
- Parcelhero’s head of research, David Jinks M.I.L.T., noted it wasn’t just sunshine: sales rose for three straight months. The three‑month spike (Oct‑Dec 2024 to Jan‑Mar 2025) was the biggest since July 2021.
What’s Up With the Numbers?
“Last month we keyed into March and April because of those cost hikes—National Insurance and the minimum wage.”
“Will retailers keep rewarding Brits to keep shopping in February?” The answer: Yep, they did.”
- Not only did shoppers buy more goods, they also spent more: total spend (offline + online) rose by 0.3% over February.
- Online sprees weren’t just by the numbers: online spend climbed 2% month‑to‑month and a whopping 5% YoY.
- E‑commerce volumes jumped 2% in March.
Is It All Weather‑Driven?
No – although the sunny weather helped, other factors like the new budget measures pending until 6 April and potential tariff shenanigans still loom. The ride continues and we’ll keep an eye on the next set of figures.
High Street vs. Online – The New Balance
The mix of online to High Street sales stayed steady like the post‑COVID norm: online made up 26.4% of the whole market in February and nudged up to 26.8% in March.
Bottom line? Stores that juggle both an online presence and a physical storefront fend off surprises furthest.
Finally, remember that the “2030: Death of the High Street” report is stirring parliamentary debate, urging retailers to go omnichannel.
