A combination of sunny weather without season and the posterior moment of the Easter break
Retail spending increased 7% year-on-year last month, according to the figures of the British retail consortium (BRC) and the KPMG-A notable jump of the modest increase of 1.1% recorded in March. Although the increase was partly driven by the Easter that fell in April of this year that March, the underlying impulse was evident, with expenses in March and April together 4.3% compared to the same period in 2023.
The separate figures of Barclays echoed the optimistic image. The bank, which tracks almost 40% of the transactions of credit and debit cards in the United Kingdom, said that the card expenditure increased 4.5% in April, the fastest growth since June 2023. The greatest impulse came from the leisure sector, with a pub expense, bar and clubs of a larger expense, the highest expense.
Good climate also generates garden retailers a spring impulse, with an expense in gardening centers that increase 25% in April. DIY sales increased by 4%, probably reinforced by the preparation of the new owners for summer renovations after a wave of property terminations before the end of the bell holidays.
The office with the office confirmed that April 2025 was the most sunly registered, helping to boost sales in food and non -food sectors. BRC and KPMG data show that food sales increased 8.2%year -on -year, exceeding the average growth of three months of 3.9%, while non -food sales increased 6.1%, also far ahead of the three -month trend.
The official data of the National Statistics Office support this solid image, with retail sales that rise 1.6% in the first quarter of 2025, a clear sign that consumer activity remains resistant despite persistent economic uncertainties.
“The most sunny April in the registry brought with it an impulse to retail sales,” said Helen Dickinson, executive director of the BR. “While the strongest performance was partial as a result of the Easter fall in April of this year, the sunlight caused a strong expense of consumers in all areas.”
Barclays also pointed out that despite geopolitical conerns, particularly the ongoing uncertainty surrounding world trade and rates, the United Kingdom consumers remain optimistic. In April, 72% of respondents expressed concern about the financial impact of President Trump’s tariff policies, but that anxiety was partially relieved by a commercial agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom that reduced tariffs on exports of metals and cars while retaining a 10% blanket rate.
“While the world continues to deal with unprecedented levels of commercial uncertainty, the economic feeling of the United Kingdom has a surprisingly positive bone recently, supported by a resistant consumer,” said Julien Lafargue, head of the head of the private bank of the private Barclays Private. “The recent interest rate of the Bank of England, along with better commercial clarity, should support greater impulse in the coming months.”
Lafargue warned, however, that despite the current elevation in spending, the broader economic growth can remain moderate, partly as the global labor market softens and winds against economic winds persist international.
However, the increase in Aprilist consumer activity offers retailers a welcome postponement, which increases the hope that improving the weather and falling interest rates can help maintain spending in the summer.
Jamie Young
Jamie is a senior reporter of Business Matters, who brings more than a decade of experience in commercial reports of the United Kingdom. Jamie has a business administration title and participates regularly in conferences and industry workshops. When he does not inform about the last business development, Jamie is passionate about the mentoring of promising journalists and businessmen to inspire the next generation of business leaders.
