UK retail sales fell 1.3% in April, ONS says

Fri, 22nd May 2026 07:03

LONDON, May 22 (Reuters) - British retail ⁠sales volumes fell by 1.3% on the month in April, according to ‌official figures published on Friday.

Economists polled by ⁠Reuters had mostly expected a ⁠monthly fall of 0.6% in sales volumes against the backdrop of the Iran war and rising energy costs.

Compared ‌with a year earlier, volumes were flat, against economists' expectations of a 1.3% rise.

Earlier on Friday, a survey showed low levels of consumer confidence rose ‌only slightly in May with households the least willing to ‌make big item purchases in nearly a year and a half.

Major British retailers say uncertainty over the impact of the Iran war ‌is weighing on their businesses and customers. They also say higher tax and ⁠more ⁠regulation are holding them ‌back.

Some firms are bucking the trend. Fashion retailer Next posted better-than-expected first quarter sales ‌and electricals retailer Currys edged-up its profit outlook.