UK retail sales volumes, values estimated to be flat in March '24: ONS

Volumes rose by 0.8 per cent over the year to March 2024, while remaining 1.2 per cent below their pre-COVID-19 pandemic level in February 2020.

Non-food stores sales volumes rose by 0.5 per cent in March over the month, with increased footfall reported by some retailers, while sales in non-store retailers dropped by 1.5 per cent.

Rises were seen in second-hand goods stores, hardware and furniture stores, and clothing stores.

Sales volumes increased by 1.9 per cent in the first quarter this year compared with the previous quarter’s figure. This was following low sales volumes over the Christmas period for retailers.

Offsetting these rises, department stores, food stores and non-store retailing sales volumes all fell over the month in March, with retailers suggesting that increased prices were affecting consumer spending habits, an ONS release said.

The amount spent online rose by 0.1 per cent over the month to March 2024, and by 1.7 per cent over the year.

As total spend showed no growth on the month, the 0.1-per cent rise in the amount spent online increased the proportion of sales made online from 25.8 per cent in February 2024 (revised from 25.7 per cent) to 25.9 per cent in March this year.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)