UK retail sales tumbled at their fastest rate for almost a year as soaring petrol and diesel prices hit fuel sales and demand for clothing waned, according to official figures.
Sharpest decline since May 2025
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the total volume of retail sales, which measures the quantity bought, fell by 1.3% in April. This marked the largest drop since May 2025 and was a heavier fall than expected by economists, who had forecast a 0.6% decline. It also compared with a 0.6% rise in March, which was revised slightly lower.
Motor fuel sales plunge
Statisticians said the drop in volumes was particularly linked to a sharp decline in sales volumes of motor fuel, which slid by 10.2% in April – the largest fall since November 2020. Retailers said the drop was linked to motorists making fewer journeys and delaying filling up their vehicles in the face of high prices. It came after volumes had spiked in March, with drivers stocking up after the breakout of the conflict in the Middle East.
Earlier this week, the price of petrol lifted to its highest level since the conflict began, at 158.52p per litre. Petrol is up 19.3% since the war sparked a rise in crude oil prices, while diesel is 30.6% higher.
Clothing and online sales also weak
Retail sales volumes were however still weaker excluding fuel, with a 0.4% fall for the month. Weaker sales from clothing retailers were also a drag on the performance during April. Clothing firms saw a 2.4% decline as they reported “variable weather conditions during the month”, lower demand and consumer sensitivity towards prices. Non-store retailers, which are predominantly online retail platforms, also saw a decline for the month driven by weaker demand.
Quarterly trend remains positive
The ONS said sales volumes were still higher for the quarter, up 0.5% over the three months to April, despite the latest monthly decline. Grant Fitzner, ONS chief economist, said: “Retail sales increased in the three months to April with strong and sustained sales for beauty product stores as well as computer and tech shops. After strong growth last month, motor fuel sales fell in April, with evidence suggesting motorists were conserving fuel after stocking up in March. These subdued fuel purchases contributed to a sizeable monthly fall for total retail sales in April.”
Industry reactions
Harvir Dhillon, economist at the British Retail Consortium, said: “We are starting to see signs that concerns over the Middle East conflict and its impact on living costs are leading shoppers to rein in their spending in many areas. Last month, fashion sales, particularly for large retailers, performed poorly, partly owing to the poor weather. Consumers also conserved their fuel consumption following the spike in petrol and diesel prices.”
Jacqui Baker, head of retail at RSM UK, said: “Consumers pulled back on spending in April as the Iran war continued to drag on sentiment. The main glimmer of hope was health and beauty, with shoppers indulging in small, feel-good luxuries to get them through current uncertainty and the tough economic outlook.”
