UK retail sales volumes fall again as outlook remains grim
By Benjamin Chiou
Date: Monday 28 Apr 2025
(Sharecast News) - Fewer UK retailers reported falling sales in April, according to a survey from the Confederation of British Industries, though top-line pressure is expected to ramp up in the coming month.
Retail sales volumes fell at a modest rate in the year to April, the Distributive Trades Survey on Monday showed, as the CBI's overall gauge improved to -8% from -41% in the year to March.
This was still the seventh month in a row that retailers reported falling sales, and the indicator for May is expected to sink to -33%.
"Annual retail sales volumes fell more slowly in April, but firms remain pessimistic about the outlook due to the impact of Autumn Budget measures, persistently weak consumer sentiment, and global economic uncertainty," said Martin Sartorious, principal economist at the CBI.
Online retail volumes were more or less flat compared with last year at -1% in April from -27% in March, and are expected to remain more or less stable in May at +2%.
However, when compared with last year, wholesale sales volumes dropped at one of the quickest rates since September 2020 at -33% in April from -29% in March.
The measure for total distribution sales volumes came in at -26% from -32% the month before, and is expected to be -29% in May.
"With no sales recovery on the horizon, firms across the distribution sector want to see the government use every lever available to boost business and household confidence during these challenging times," Sartorius said.
"Making it easier to invest in skills by reforming the Apprenticeship Levy, using the forthcoming Spending Review to boost tech adoption, and continuing to prioritise free and fair trade are key measures that would help kickstart economic growth."
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