United Kingdom BRC Retail Sales Monitor YoY

UK retail sales rose by 0.9% on a like-for-like basis in March 2025, outpacing market forecasts of a 0.5% increase. The boost was largely driven by unseasonably warm weather, which spurred spending on gardening, DIY, food, and health and beauty products. Mother’s Day also contributed to the uplift, though the late timing of Easter this year somewhat distorted year-on-year comparisons. Food sales grew by 1.6% in March, while non-food sales saw a modest 0.6% increase. Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, commented: “Despite a challenging global geopolitical backdrop, the modest rise in both food and non-food sales points to underlying demand resilience, especially given the tougher comparison with last March’s early Easter.” However, some analysts warned that the momentum may not last. Sales of big-ticket items remained subdued, reflecting waning consumer confidence amid concerns over new US tariffs and recently announced UK tax hikes.