Rain hits retail sales in Great Britain as shoppers reduce spending

The 2.3% drop in the amount of goods bought, compared with March, was much steeper than the 0.4% decline forecast by analysts. Photograph: Matt Crossick/PA

A month of unrelenting rain in many parts of the country resulted in British shoppers spending much less than expected in April, with fewer treating themselves to clothes and big-ticket items.

The Office for National Statistics blamed the wet weather for the 2.3% decrease in the amount of goods bought, compared with March, which was much steeper than the 0.4% decline forecast by analysts.