A solid jump indeed, from the March result of -1.1%
Some of the gain is a boost from the Easter holidays
The total sales measure came in at +4.1% m/m in April, from March at -0.5%.
BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson commented on the god results for restaurants and bars in the numbers, at the expense of retailers:
- "Retail sales were below expectation this month as the sunshine over the Easter weekend persuaded many to pursue recreational, rather than retail, activities"
GBP is unmoved, the data point is not usually of much immediate impact. Stick it in the background files though … if Brexit get resolved the way is getting clearer for the BoE to hike rates.
