UK retailers see 'green shoots' as sales grow in March
By Benjamin Chiou
Date: Tuesday 15 Apr 2025
(Sharecast News) - UK shop sales were higher in March compared with last year, according to data out on Tuesday from the British Retail Consortium, which pointed to "green shoots" for retailers despite a tough trading environment.
UK total retail sales were up 1.1% year-on-year last month despite March 2024 benefitting from an earlier Easter, according to the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor.
This was below the three-month average growth of 1.6% but above the 12-month average growth of 0.6%.
Food sales were up 1.6% over last year, while non-food sales rose 0.6%. In-store non-food sales were down 0.1%, though this was offset by a 1.8% jump in online non-food sales.
The improving weather towards the end of the month is said to have boosted gardening and DIY equipment, while jewellery and beauty categories were helped by Mother's Day.
"Despite a challenging global geopolitical landscape, the small increase in both food and non-food sales masked signs of underlying strengthening of demand given March 2025's comparison with last year's early Easter," said the BRC's chief executive Helen Dickinson.
Commenting on the data, Linda Ellett, the UK head of consumer, retail and leisure at KPMG, said the year-on-year growth "feels an achievement" amid downbeat consumer confidence and rising household costs.
"But with non-food sales only climbing around 1% on average, competition means there are some retailers really struggling whilst others win, especially online. Retailers will be pushing for higher growth rates as we move toward summer and holiday season, particularly as they are now paying higher wage costs and facing volatility and potential impact on their supply chains due to global tariffs," Ellett said.
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