The volume of goods bought in British shops fell by 1.3% in April, powered by a significant drop in fuel sales.
Automotive fuel volumes dropped by just over 10% month on month, as motorists that had stocked up in March then tried to limit their journeys.
“Retailers suggested that motorists were making fewer journeys and were delaying filling their vehicle fuel tanks while prices rose,” said the ONS.
“This followed a spike in March 2026, with many retailers reporting that motorists had stocked up after the outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East.”
Total retail sales, excluding fuel, fell by 0.4% on the month. This was largely due to a slowdown in clothing and what the ONS calls ‘non-store’ retail sales. Non-store sales are made by sellers without a bricks and mortar presence, such as online retailers or market traders.
While retailers largely blamed poor weather for the drop in clothes sales, BRC economist Harvir Dhillon warned that discretionary spend was likely to drop further as the cost of living squeeze worsens.
The drop in total GB volumes came after a small rise of 0.6% in March 2026 – though that was itself mainly due to a surge in fuel sales ahead of rising costs.
Deloitte head of retail Oliver Vernon-Harcourt said the drop would “disappoint” retailers, though March’s bump came in part thanks to an early Easter.
“A sharp rise in fuel prices during April, coupled with a weakening labour market, has intensified the pressure on household budgets,” he added.
Shopify EMEA managing director Deann Evans added that while there had been signs of strong seasonal demand through spring, April’s decline suggested consumers were still being selective, and prioritising their spending around specific occasions.
Shopify’s data has showed a spike in warm-weather products, including fire pits (up 179%), sunbeds (128%) and sports items such as cricket shoes (up 202%) and basketball shoes (160%), as people get ready for the summer.
“These motivators may not have boosted April sales, but there is reason to be optimistic retailers can turn such selective demand into sustained growth as summer approaches, especially with upcoming cultural events such as the FIFA World Cup and Wimbledon Championships,” said Evans.
“Shoppers are clearly being selective and seasonal, so to increase their chances of success, brands must align their offerings as close as possible to timely moments and seasonal spikes, alongside the year-round fundamentals of value, ease of discovery and a consistent shopping experience across every channel.”
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