Retail sales surged by 9.2 per cent in April as lockdown eased and shops reopened in latest signs of strong UK recovery after pandemic
Retail sales surged by 9.2 per cent in April as lockdown eased and shops reopened, official figures showed today.
In the latest sign of a strong UK bounceback, clothing sales were up nearly three-quarters as consumers splashed out.
Overall volumes are now around 10 per cent above pre-pandemic levels.
ONS Deputy National Statistician Jonathan Athow said: ‘Retail sales grew sharply in April and are now over 10 per cent above pre-pandemic levels as restrictions eased and more shops were able to open their doors.
‘Clothing sales soared by nearly three quarters as consumers took advantage of being able to visit physical stores. Perhaps unsurprisingly, overall online sales dipped, but still remain high.
Retail sales surged by 9.2 per cent in April as lockdown eased and shops reopened, official figures showed today
‘Fuel sales increased again this month, but remain below pre-pandemic level as although more people are travelling, many are still working from home.’
The monthly increase of 9.2 per cent reflected the reopening of non-essential retail from April 12 in England and Wales, and from April 26 in Scotland.
Clothing sales were up 69.4 per cent.
Retail sales volumes were 42.4 per cent higher than April last year, at the height of the first lockdown.
And they were 10.6 per cent higher than February 2020, before the first round of restrictions took hold.