Retail sales jump in April as UK enjoys warm weather

UK retail sales rose by 1.2% in April, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

This compared with a 0.1% rise in March, which was revised down from a previous estimate of 0.4% for the month.

April’s retail sales growth surpassed expectations, with analysts having predicted a 0.4% increase.

The ONS said the latest increase means growth over the past three months has been the "largest in nearly four years" despite concerns over pressure on consumer budgets.

It comes as official data continues to show that wages – which rose 5.6% in the three months to March – are outpacing inflation, the increase in goods and services.

In April, shoppers spent more on food and drink, with retailers linking the increase to warmer weather and the Easter holiday.

Elsewhere, department stores and household goods retailers also said they benefited from better weather, recording growth of 2.8% and 2.1%, respectively.

ONS Senior Statistician Hannah Finselbach said: "Sunny skies and warm temperatures helped boost retail sales in April with strong trading across most sectors."

Kris Hamer, Director of Insight at the British Retail Consortium, added: "With the first taste of summer, consumer spending was up across the board.

"Darker days are coming as April brought an additional £5 billion in costs to retailers from increases in employer National Insurance Contributions and the national living wage.

"This is set to increase to £7 billion once the new packaging tax is introduced later this year."

Image credit: Victoria Leeds