1.4% increase in sales offset by ongoing drop since summer 2021

  • Retail sales increase by 1.4% in April
  • Sales volumes 4.1% above pre-coronavirus levels
  • Food store sales up 2.8% due to higher spending on alcohol and tobacco
  • Non-store retailing sales rise 3.7% led by clothing sales
  • Automotive fuel sales up 1.4% after March’s 4.2% drop
  • Non-food stores and household goods sales decline
  • Online retail share reaches 27.0%, up from 25.9% in March

Retail sales experienced a 1.4% rise in April 2022 following a 1.2% decline in March, surpassing pre-coronavirus levels by 4.1%. However, the three-month trend shows a continuous decrease since summer 2021. Food store sales increased by 2.8%, mainly due to higher spending on alcohol and tobacco in supermarkets, while non-store retailing sales rose 3.7% driven by clothing sales. Automotive fuel sales grew 1.4% after a 4.2% drop in March due to rising petrol prices. Non-food stores and household goods sales fell (-0.6% and -3.3%, respectively), including furniture stores. Online retail share reached 27.0%, up from 25.9% in February 2020.

Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate and objective information about retail sales volumes, including specific percentages and comparisons to previous months and years. It also includes details on different sectors within retailing and online sales trends.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about retail sales volumes and trends without any irrelevant or misleading content. It presents data on various sectors and includes comparisons to pre-pandemic levels. The reporting is straightforward and does not reinforce popular narratives. It also stays on topic and supports its claims with specific figures.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Retail sector
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses changes in retail sales volumes and online shopping trends, which can impact companies within the retail industry and potentially affect their stock prices.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: Other
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no mention of an extreme event in the last 48 hours.

Reported publicly: www.retailsector.co.uk