The sunniest April boosts retail sales in the UK on record, with consumers flocking to bars, DIY and gardening
New data show that the sunny April weather and later Easter timing combined with a sharp increase in retail in Britain in April, as consumers traveled outdoors and opened their wallets for home and garden improvements.
Retail spending last month rose 7% year-on-year, a significant increase in the 1.1% increase recorded in March, according to the UK Retail Alliance (BRC) and consulting KPMG. While this rise was driven by Easter in April rather than March this year, the basic momentum was obvious, with spending in March and April together rising 4.3% compared to the same period in 2023.
The individual numbers echo the optimistic pictures. The bank tracked nearly 40% of UK credit and debit card transactions, and he said card spending rose 4.5% in April, the fastest growth since June 2023. The biggest boost came from the leisure industry, bars, bars and club spending rose by 6.6%, the biggest increase in 16 months.
Good weather also brought spring boost to garden retailers, with spending in garden centers soaring 25% in April. DIY sales rose 4%, probably reinforced by new homeowners, preparing for summer renovations after a wave of properties ended before the stamp duty holiday ended.
The Metropolitan Office confirmed that April 2025 is the sunniest person on record and helps drive sales in the food and non-food sectors. BRC and KPMG data show that food sales rose 8.2% year-on-year, with an average three-month increase of 3.9%, while non-food sales rose 6.1%, which is also far ahead of the three-month trend.
Official data from the National Bureau of Statistics supports this powerful situation, with retail sales rising 1.6% in the first quarter of 2025, a clear sign that consumer activity remains resilient despite persistent economic uncertainty.
“The sunniest April on record has boosted retail,” said BRC CEO Helen Dickinson. “While stronger performance is partly responsible for the decline in Easter this April, the sun has prompted consumers to spend all over the board.”
Barclays also noted that despite geopolitical concerns, especially the ongoing uncertainty surrounding global trade and tariffs, UK consumers remain optimistic. In April, 72% of those surveyed expressed concern about the financial impact of President Trump’s tariff policy, but that anxiety was partially alleviated by the US-UK trade deal, which reduced tariffs on metal and automobile exports while retaining a 10% blanket ratio.
“While the world continues to struggle with unprecedented levels of trade uncertainty, the UK’s economic sentiment has been surprisingly positive lately, supported by resilient consumers,” said Julien Lafargue, chief market strategist at Barclays Private Bank. “Recently lowered interest rates from the Bank of England, along with increased trade clarity, should support further momentum in the coming months.”
Lafargue warned that despite the increase in spending at present, broader economic growth may remain soft, especially as global labor market softens and economic headwinds continue internationally.
Still, the surge in consumer activity in April brought welcome probation to retailers, raising hopes that rising weather and falling interest rates could help sustain summer spending.
