Retail sales increased in March and early April, despite Easter falling later than in 2024.
Total retail sales were up 1.1% on 2024 in the five weeks from 2 March to 5 April, compared to growth of 3.5% in March 2024, when Easter fell.
Food sales increased by 1.6% over the period, compared with an increase 8.3% a year ago. Non-food sales rose by 0.6% (0.4%), according to the British Retail Consortium/KPMG, against a drop of 0.4% in March 2024.
In-store non-food sales rose marginally by 0.1% year on year in March, compared to a rise of 0.1% in March 2024. Online non-food sales increased by 1.8% over the period, against a drop of 1.4% in March 2024.
‘Despite a challenging global geopolitical landscape, the small increase in both food and non-food sales masked signs of underlying strengthening of demand given March 2025’s comparison with last year’s early Easter,’ says Helen Dickinson, BRC ceo.
‘The improving weather made for a particularly strong final week, with gardening and DIY equipment flying off the shelves. Jewellery and beauty products were helped by Mother’s Day, though sales of bigger ticket items like furniture remained weak.’
