UK retail sales plunge as soaring fuel prices force shoppers to make cuts
UK retail sales experienced a significant decline in April, primarily driven by soaring fuel prices. The Office for National Statistics reported a 1.3% drop in retail sales volume, marking the largest decrease since May 2025. This decline was largely attributed to a 10.2% fall in motor fuel sales as consumers reduced travel and delayed refueling due to high prices.
- ▪Retail sales in the UK fell by 1.3% in April, the largest drop in nearly a year.
- ▪Sales of motor fuel decreased by 10.2%, the biggest decline since November 2020.
- ▪Clothing retailers also faced a 2.4% decline in sales due to variable weather and price sensitivity.
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NewsBusinessUK retail sales plunge as soaring fuel prices force shoppers to make cutsThe Office for National Statistics said the total volume of retail sales, which measures the quantity bought, fell by 1.3% in April.Henry Saker-Clark Friday 22 May 2026 09:31 BSTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":true,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"CF1:2981670To1","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/retail-uk-sales-ons-fuel-prices-b2981722.html","title":"Retail sales dip as soaring fuel prices force shoppers to make cuts"}}UK economy grew faster than expected before Iran…
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