UK retail sales volumes increased 0.4% MoM and 2.6% YoY in March, a surprise increase compared to the projections of a -0.4% MoM decline.

• The February gain was revised down from 1.0% MoM to 0.7% MoM.
• Retail sales in Q1 2025 were up 1.6% QoQ, the largest quarterly increase since July 2021.
• Non-food store sales volumes increased 1.7% MoM, and food store sales volumes dropped -1.3% MoM.

• Clothing and outdoor retailers reported that good weather boosted sales as the segment saw volume up 3.7% MoM.
• Other non-food and non-store retail also saw strong gains, up 2.4% MoM and 1.9% MoM respectively.
• Food and household goods sales were the weakest, down -1.3% MoM and -0.8% MoM respectively.