Food was in decline year on year for April following early Easter celebrations and amid poor weather conditions.
According to the latest figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC), while food sales did increase 4.4% year on year over the three months to April, this was against a growth of 9.8% in April 2023 and below the 12-month average growth of 6.7%.
Total UK retail sales were also in decline by 4% year on year in April, against a rise of 5.1% the year before.
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BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “Dismal weather and disappointing sales led to a depressing start to Spring for retailers, even accounting for the change in timing of Easter.”
IGD CEO Sarah Bradbury added that due to the early Easter, “the UK grocery market was always going to face a tough set of annual comparisons in April”.
However, she explained that “there is hope” for the food and drink sector, as with easing inflation, “increased promotional activity among retailers”, and the upcoming bank holidays, “sales and volumes will surely improve”.
Bradbury added: “Confidence in the year ahead continues to grow steadily. Shopper confidence at a total level increased slightly in April as inflation continued to ease off slowly.”
