Biggest drop in petrol purchases in six years hits retail sales in Great Britain
Retail sales in Great Britain experienced a significant decline in April, primarily due to a sharp drop in petrol purchases. Fuel sales fell by over 10% month on month, marking the largest decrease since November 2020. This downturn contributed to an overall retail sales drop of 1.3%, the most substantial contraction in a year.
- ▪Fuel purchases in April plunged more than 10% month on month, the biggest slide since November 2020.
- ▪The overall volume of retail sales fell by 1.3% in April compared to the previous month, worse than the forecast of -0.6%.
- ▪Sales at clothing stores declined by 2.4%, the lowest level since June last year, amid concerns over rising prices.
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Fuel purchases in April plunged more than 10% month on month, the biggest slide since November 2020. Photograph: Nick Ansell/PAView image in fullscreenFuel purchases in April plunged more than 10% month on month, the biggest slide since November 2020. Photograph: Nick Ansell/PARetail industryBiggest drop in petrol purchases in six years hits retail sales in Great BritainDrivers conserve fuel amid Iran war uncertainty, pushing overall sales down 1.3% in April Business live – latest updates Mark SweneyFri 22 May 2026 04.35 EDTLast modified on Fri 22 May 2026 04.36 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleMotorists cutting back on petrol and fuel purchases at the steepest rate since the Covid pandemic in 2020 drove retail sales in Great Britain to their biggest monthly decline in a year.The…
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