Sunny weather boosted British retail sales in April and households grew cheerier this month, according to figures published on Friday that suggested consumers might be a bright spot in an otherwise drab outlook for the economy.

Official data suggests the economy remains supported by solid job and wage growth, even as monthly sales gains showed signs of slowing.

Retail sales in the UK increased 5% in April over the same month in the previous year.  Retail sales jumped 1.2% M/M in April 2025, easily beating forecasts of a 0.2% rise and accelerating from a downwardly revised 0.