Online sales took a heavy hit last month, with shoppers reining in unnecessary purchases as the cost of living crisis started to bite, according to official figures. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said retail sales volumes fell 1.4 per cent in March – faster than the 0.5 per cent drop in February – although they remain 2.2 per cent above pre-Covid levels of February 2020.
Online sales bore the brunt, dropping 7.9 per cent in the month, following on from a 6.9 per cent fall in February. There was also a decrease in fuel sales volumes of 3.8 per cent as soaring petrol and diesel costs put motorists off making unnecessary journeys, the ONS added.
The only part of the retail landscape to see an increase in sales was in non-food stores, which were up 1.3 per cent, driven by a 2.6 per cent rise at household goods retailers including garden centres and DIY stores. ONS director of economic statistics Darren Morgan said: "Retail sales fell back notably in March, with rises in the cost of living hitting consumers' spending.
