‘Dire month’ for footwear drags down UK retail sales
UK retail sales recorded the largest decline in eight months in April, according to a survey released by the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
Like-for-like sales fell 0.9% compared to the same month last year, the biggest fall since August 2015. This compounded the 0.7% drop in sales registered in March.
The BRC report said that the clothing and footwear sector was most affected by the unusually cold weather which caused shoppers to stay away from spring-summer ranges. The performance of this sector when measured over the first three months of the year was the worst since BRC records began in 2010.
“Footwear was the worst performing category in April. The sales deficit came mostly from sandals and canvasses, while boots remained in demand,” the report said.
