UK Total retail sales increased by 3.5% year on year in March, according to the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor for March 2024.
This is the strongest result since last August and above the three-month average growth of 2.1% and the 12-month average growth of 2.9%.
The primary cause of this growth was the earlier timing of Easter this year, which drew more sales from April into March compared to last year.
This was particularly evident in Food sales, which spiked at the end of March this year, as opposed to April for the past few years.
Taking a broader view, Food sales increased 6.8% year on year over the three months to March, against a growth of 8.5% in March 2023. This is below the 12-month average growth of 7.7%. For the month of March, Food was in growth year on year.
Non-Food sales decreased 1.9% year on year over the three-months to March, against a growth of 1.8% in March 2023. This is steeper than the 12-month average decline of 1.1%. For the month of March, Non-Food was in decline year on year.
British Retail Consortium boss Helen Dickinson said: “While retail sales growth improved last month, this was largely driven by Easter falling unusually early and the subsequent uplift to food sales in the week preceding the long weekend.
“After a difficult start to the year, retailers are hopeful that with warmer weather around the corner, consumer confidence will spring back up. A strong retail industry can boost investment across our towns and cities, and as we gear up for a general election, it is essential the next government recognises this and rethinks the burdensome costs imposed on retailers.”
