Retail sales in the UK declined 2.3% month-over-month in April.
This follows a 0.2% fall in March and is much worse than the forecasted 0.4% drop. It marks the biggest decrease in retail sales in four months, with sales volumes declining across most sectors.
Sales at non-food stores were down 4.1%, including clothing retailers, sports equipment, games and toys stores, and furniture stores.
Retailers reported poor weather and low footfall as the main reasons for the decline.
Additionally, automotive fuel sales showed their largest monthly fall since October 2021.
Food store sales volumes fell for the third consecutive month, mainly due to supermarkets.