Total UK retail sales jumped by +1.1% year-on-year in March, according to the latest British Retail Consortium-KPMG data, with sales bolstered by warmer spring weather and Mother’s Day. However, while total retail sales in March saw an uplift compared to 2024, they were still tracking marginally below the 3 month average growth of +1.6%.

Food sales climbed +1.6% last month, while non-food sales also saw a +0.6% rise, with DIY and gardening performing well, while jewellery and beauty proved the standout categories across Mother’s Day spending. “As Spring weather arrived, house and garden related purchases and gifts for Mother’s Day drove retail sales growth in March,” Linda Ellett, UK Head of Consumer, Retail & Leisure at KPMG, said.

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium (BRC), said that “despite a challenging global geopolitical landscape, the small increase in sales masked signs of underlying strengthening of demand given March 2025’s comparison with last year’s early Easter.” As retailers look ahead to Easter, food sales were expected to be the “big winner” in April.

“Amidst downbeat consumer confidence in the UK’s economic outlook, and many households facing rising costs, retail sales growth feels an achievement,” Ellett added. However, she pointed to challenges coming down the line as retailers face higher wage costs, as well as uncertainty across their supply chains impacted by global tariffs.