UK retail sales fall 1.3% in April amid weaker spending

British retail sales fell sharply in April, recording their largest monthly decline in nearly a year as consumer spending weakened amid economic uncertainty and rising costs. Official data published on Friday showed retail sales volumes dropped by 1.3 percent compared to March, a steeper fall than the 0.6 percent decline economists had forecast.

The Office for National Statistics reported that the decline was the most significant since May 2025. A major driver was a sharp drop in fuel sales, which fell by 10.2 percent in April. Officials said this was due to motorists conserving fuel after stocking up in March when prices began to rise. Excluding automotive fuel, retail sales still declined by 0.4 percent for the month.

Compared to April of last year, sales volumes were flat, missing expectations for a 1.3 percent annual increase. The data indicates continued pressure on household finances. A separate survey released on the same day showed consumer confidence improved only slightly in May, with households reporting the lowest willingness to make major purchases in nearly 18 months.

Industry representatives and analysts pointed to several factors weighing on consumer sentiment....