(Alliance News) - UK retail sales declined in April, but were higher on-year when accounting for differences in the timing of Easter, data showed on Tuesday.
The British Retail Consortium-KPMG monitor noted that March 2026 had included the run-up to Easter, rather than April, as in 2025, distorting comparative figures. Data for 2026 were collected between April 5 and May 2.
On a reported basis, UK total retail sales declined 3% on-year in April 2026, having grown 7% in April 2025. All categories except Jewellery & Watches and Health & Beauty saw a drop in spending. Food sales fell 2.5%, against growth of 8.2% a year prior, while non-food sales fell 3.3% against growth of 6.1%.
In-store non-food sales were 4.0% lower on-year in April 2026, having risen by 5.6% on-year in April 2025. Online non-food sales were also down 2.3%, versus up 7% the previous year.
Nonetheless, the online penetration rate, which measures the proportion of non-food items bought online, increased to 37.9% in April 2026 from 37.4% on-year, and remained above the 12-month average of 37.5%.
When March and April figures are combined, to account for the timing of Easter, total sales were 1.5% higher in 2026 than the same two-month period in 2025, but remained below the 12-month average of 1.8%.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, commented: "April's sales fall was largely driven by the Easter shift, with food hit hardest. But weak consumer confidence also played a role as fears about the Middle East conflict driving up living costs led shoppers to rein in.
"Big-ticket purchases fell, with the recent recovery in furniture losing steam, and uncertainty around summer holidays hitting discretionary spend. With the World Cup coming, retailers hope it will provide a lift, and early signs show demand for TVs and sound systems picking up."
Dickinson argued that whilst the UK government may not have control over global events, it can take domestic steps "to curb the impact on consumers from soaring costs".
"That means cutting non-commodity energy charges – which include the taxes and levies that make up to two thirds of retailers' energy bills, scrapping or reforming the triple tax on packaging, and delaying the upcoming changes to the way we measure the nutritional content of food," Dickinson suggested.
Linda Ellett, UK Head of Consumer, Retail & Leisure at KPMG added: "Consumer confidence has been further dampened by rising prices due to the Iran conflict, with consumers cautious about potential ongoing effects.
"As a result, the retail sector is facing a challenging start to spring/summer, but there is hope that holiday demand and the World Cup still manage to unlock spending in the weeks and months ahead."
Sarah Bradbury, CEO of the Institute of Grocery Distribution, noted: "The impact of food price inflation is increasingly split by income, as lower‑income households are already feeling the impact of higher fuel costs and remain highly value‑focused, while higher‑income shoppers are more insulated, supported by elevated market interest rates and the upside for savings.
"Retail value growth has slowed sharply year on year and volumes remain fairly flat, signalling continued budget management for shoppers. News of a temporary ceasefire in the Middle East lifted shopper confidence briefly, but with broader energy‑market disruption likely to feed through to food inflation with a time lag, pressure is expected to build over the next few months.
"Food and drink retailers should plan for continued trade‑down from shoppers, heightened promotional activity, and uneven demand."
By Holly Munks, Alliance News reporter
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