Total UK retail sales were up by 3.5 on last March, according to the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor.
Retail sales improved in March, largely driven by an early Easter but providing a boost to firms after a difficult start to the year, figures suggest.
Easter also boosted sales of products such as cookware and tableware, as people readied themselves to host family and friends. Home textiles such as throws and pillows were also popular as consumers sought to spruce up their homes ahead of spring. BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “After a difficult start to the year, retailers are hopeful that with warmer weather around the corner, consumer confidence will spring back up.
“As April signals big increases in the sector’s cost base – through the rise in minimum wage rates and business rate hikes for the larger high street brands – retailers will be hoping that the bounce back of March sales is more than just an Easter blip. Retail spending remained almost flat, up 0.7%, while restaurants had another challenging month, down 12.6% and almost consistent with the February’s 13.4% decline.
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