Retail sales in Great Britain posted a 9.2% monthly growth in April after lockdown restrictions were eased in several areas, according to the Office for National Statistics.
- Both value and volume of sales climbed 9.2% in April, signaling a continued recovery after the growth in the two months prior.
- Retail sales value surged by 43.4% and volume by 42.4% when compared with April 2020, when severe lockdown restrictions were in place.
- The ONS noted that the year-on-year surge was largely affected by base effects due to the large falls in retail sales the same month in 2020.
- The biggest monthly growth drivers were clothing which increased by 69.4%, and non-food stores by 25.3%.
- Non-essential retail was reopened in England and Wales on April 12, and Scotland on April 26.
- The proportion of online sales for the month fell to 30% in April from 34.7% in March, as all sectors reported a decline in the share of sales made virtually.
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