UK Retail Sales Experience Significant Growth in March

In an unexpected turn of events, the United Kingdom's retail sales volumes saw a remarkable increase of 2.6% in March compared to the same month last year, as reported by the Office for National Statistics. This growth notably exceeded the forecasts set by analysts.

Monthly and Quarterly Sales Trends

On a monthly basis, retail sales edged up by 0.4%, with textile clothing and footwear sales leading the charge with a 3.7% surge. Non-food stores also enjoyed a healthy increase of 2.4%, while food store sales experienced a slight decline of 1.3%.

Looking at the broader picture, the three months leading up to March 2025 witnessed a 1.6% quarter-on-quarter and a 1.7% year-on-year rise in sales volumes, indicating a steady recovery in the retail sector.