We have previously commented on the strong performance of non-food retailers during April, particularly over Easter.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has now issued its report for April which found that “food sales during the Easter holiday made a significant contribution to the overall figure”.
Food sales were up 6.3% on last year and 3.6% on the previous month. The ONS commented “feedback from food store retailers suggested that a better than expected Easter and sunny weather helped to boost sales”.
The ONS found that large food retailers are working hard to reorganise to compete in the multichannel era but are also price cutting in order to win customers which will impact their profitability. Presumably this in turn will impact on their plans for new stores, refurbishments and shopfittings.