UK retail sales rise in April

Retail sales experienced a marked rise in the UK last month, compared with the same period in 2011, resulting in optimistic predictions for the sector from industry analysts.

Data published by the British Retail Consortium and KPMG shows that UK retail sales values were up 5.2 per cent from a year ago on a like-for-like basis and 6.9 per cent on a total basis, against a 0.2 per cent decrease in April 2010.

Stephen Robertson, director general of the British Retail Consortium, said Easter and the royal wedding bank holiday provided a "boost" to many retailers, while the hottest April since records began saw people spending on summer clothing and footwear.

Helen Dickinson, head of retail at KPMG, added: "It has provided a very welcome respite in a challenging retail trading environment. Most sectors showed a significant uplift on the prior year and on recent months."

It comes after new data issued by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation and KPMG shows that there was a strong rise in permanent staff placements last month, including those in retail sales jobs.

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Posted by Wayne Bly

Filed: 11-05-2011