Sun peeks through April 2016 retail sales
Phil Mullis –19th May 2016
The bad weather may have finally eased for the retail sector, as price deflation drives increase
in both quantity and amount spent, according to the April Retail Sales Statistics, released today.
The key findings from the Retail Statistics showed:

The volume of retail sales in April 2016 is estimated to have increased by 4.3% compared
with April 2015.

The underlying pattern in the data, as suggested by the 3 month on 3 month movement in
the quantity bought, increased by 0.3%.

Compared with March 2016, the quantity bought in the retail industry is estimated to
have increased by 1.3%.

Average store prices (including petrol stations) fell by 2.8% in April 2016 compared
with April 2015.

The amount spent in the retail industry increased by 1.2% compared with April 2015
and increased by 1.0% compared with March 2016.

The value of online sales increased by 9.3% in April 2016 compared with April 2015
and increased by 1.7% compared with March 2016.
The rolling 3 month on 3 month a year growth in retail sales has averaged 3.8% since the start
of 2016 which actually shows a slight decrease on the period in 2015, however, price deflation
is now in its 22nd month. It means that consumers were spending around 1.1% more in food
stores and this increase has allowed for a small amount of growth in the grocery sector.
Phil Mullis, Partner and Head of Retail and Wholesale at top-20 UK accountancy firm, Wilkins
Kennedy, commented: “The April 2016 retail sales actually revealed the 36th month of
consecutive growth, which, together with an increased spend in food stores could be seen as
encouraging.
Footwear has also experienced an increase in the volume of sales by 2.3% over 12 months,
however, clothing and fashion continues to struggle in failing to tempt shoppers in to their new
ranges. British weather is notoriously changeable and retailers need to act now to simplify
their supply chain so that they can switch to ‘fast fashion’ in the event of bad weather.
“Overall, it is encouraging to see growth in some retail sectors – perhaps the sun will come out
in time for summer after all.”