Consumer spending bounces back for April

Consumer spending bounced back in April much to the joy of suffering retailers on the back of the Royal Wedding and back to back, sunny bank holidays. After a record decline in like-for-like (LFL) sales of 3.5 per cent in March, consumers pushed LFL

trading up 5.2 per cent year-on-year last month with total sales rising 6.9 per cent.

Sales of clothing and footwear increased due to the early arrival of the warm weather when consumers brought forward their purchase of summer clothes. Clothing showed its largest gain since February 2010, with menswear and childrenswear the best sellers but underlying economic fears were still recognisable in people’s purchase choices, with items in promotions and or part of deals remaining the most popular.

Stephen Robertson, Director General of the BRC, said: “Easter and the royal wedding bank holiday provided a badly needed boost to many retailers during April. Food sales were strong leading up to Good Friday, suggesting most families prioritised their spending on the Easter celebrations.

“The hottest April since records began got people out spending on summer clothing and footwear.”

He continued, ‘The Bank's decision to maintain the freeze on interest rates was the right one and it's important we see the economy performing much more strongly before there is any change in future."

Although this is exciting news for the high street and signals to a new growing consumer confidence, it still only brings figures to flat, as March was such a dire month for sales.