Retail sales rise as British motorists stock up on fuel
Summary
Retail sales in Great Britain increased by 0.7% in March, driven mainly by a big rise in fuel purchases as prices jumped due to the war in Iran. Outside of fuel, retail sales still grew slightly, helped by better weather and more clothing sales, while supermarket sales fell.Key Facts
- Retail sales volume rose 0.7% in March, higher than the expected 0.1%.
- Fuel sales volumes increased by 6.1%, reaching the highest level since 2021.
- The value of fuel sales went up 11.6%, reflecting higher petrol and diesel prices.
- The conflict in the Middle East caused a rapid rise in fuel prices.
- Excluding fuel, retail sales still increased by 0.2% in March, after a fall in February.
- Clothing and footwear stores saw sales rise by 1.2%, and department stores by 1.1%.
- Supermarkets and food stores experienced a 0.8% drop in sales volume.
- The warmer weather helped boost sales in some retail sectors.
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