"UK Retail Sales Surge as Motorists Stock Up on Fuel Amid Rising Prices. A surprise boost in retail sales has been reported for March, with a 0.7% increase in volume sales compared to expectations of just 0.1%. The unexpected surge has been attributed to a significant jump in fuel purchases, as motorists scrambled to stock up on petrol and diesel in response to rapidly escalating prices at the pump. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) credits the rise in fuel sales, which reached the highest level since 2021, as a key contributor to the overall increase in retail sales, with sunny weather also believed to have boosted sales for retailers."
ONS says sales up by 0.7% in March, spurred by big rise in fuel purchases and sunny weather helping retailersBusiness live – latest updatesRetail sales in Great Britain rose last month due to motorists stocking up on fuel as they watched prices at the pump escalate rapidly because of the Iran war.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that the volume of retail sales rose 0.7% last month, well above analysts’ forecasts of just 0.1%, as the quantity of fuel bought hit the highest level since 2021. Continue reading...
