LONDON, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Britain's retail sales volumes rose by 0.7 percent in March, rebounding from a fall of 0.6 percent in February, as fuel sales surged amid the Middle East conflict, according to data released Friday by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The increase was largely driven by stronger fuel sales as motorists stocked up amid soaring prices, the ONS estimates showed.
Excluding automotive fuel, total retail sales rose by 0.2 percent on the month, while clothing stores' sales volumes also increased due to improved weather. Meanwhile, the launches of new computer and telecom products boosted sales both in stores and non-store retailers, the data showed.
In the first quarter of this year, Britain's retail sales volumes are estimated to have risen by 1.6 percent, compared with the fourth quarter of 2025. Growth was particularly strong in non-food stores, especially in sectors like art, cosmetics and toiletries.
Despite the increase, Harvir Dhillon, economist at the British Retail Consortium (BRC), warned of a pessimistic outlook for retail sales, saying that "ongoing geopolitical volatility has dragged down consumer confidence, which is now at a record low."
A recent BRC survey showed consumer expectations for the economy over the next three months remained at minus 53 in April, the same as in March and the lowest on record. Expectations for personal financial situation further worsened to minus 21 in April from minus 17 in March, also hitting a new record low.
"While higher inflation may deliver the sugar high of greater sales values, volumes are likely to drop as the cost-of-living squeeze gets worse," Dhillon said, urging the government to keep domestic policy costs down to avoid adding further inflationary pressures.
