Food sales increased by 8.2% year on year in April, but shopper confidence is unlikely to see major growth in the coming months, according to new data.

The latest figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC)-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor, for the four weeks to 3 May 2025, show that the rise in food sales was above the three-month average growth of 3.9% and above the 12-month average growth of 2.9%.

IGD chief executive Sarah Bradbury said the boost came as a result of “sporadic spells of warmer weather, interest rate cuts and the long Easter weekend”, adding that this lifted overall confidence by one point.

However, she explained that the “persistent challenge of food price inflation”, which climbed by 0.2 percentage points to 2.6% in April, “continues to weigh heavily on both businesses and households”.

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“As they grapple with rising costs, we foresee limited further gains in shopper confidence,” Bradbury added.

Meanwhile, UK total retail sales increased by 7% year-on-year in April, against a decline of 4% over the same period in 2024. This was above the three-month average growth of 2.9% and above the 12-month average growth of 1.4%.

BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “The sunniest April on record brought with it a boost to retail sales. While the stronger performance was partially a result of Easter falling in April this year, the sunshine prompted strong consumer spending across the board.”

However, she added: “Clouds loom on the horizon as new costs begin to bite. Even a strong April performance will do little to make up for the extra £7bn facing the industry this year. Both Employer National Insurance Contributions and the National Living Wage rose last month, and retailers face another £2bn bill when a new packaging tax comes in later this year.”

Dickinson is urging the government to ensure no shop pays more as a result of upcoming business rates reforms, warning that “it will be our local communities that pay the price.”