Retail sales tepid as Middle East tensions curb shopper confidence
Retail sales tepid as Middle East tensions curb shopper confidence
March retail sales rose 3.6% year-on-year, boosted by Easter and food sales, but ongoing Middle East tensions weigh on consumer confidence.
Retail data for March show total retail sales up 3.6% year on year, aided by an early Easter lifting food sales by 6.8%. Yet the mood among shoppers remains tepid as ongoing Middle East tensions weigh on spending.
Analysts say essential spending rose 0.5% for the first time since July, suggesting some pockets of resilience even as overall growth remains modest.
Shoppers on Oxford Street in London are watching prices and planning purchases, reflecting caution in daily shopping decisions.
Retail pros warn that while the Easter lull provided a boost, the underlying caution could limit broader growth in coming months if geopolitical tensions persist.
With consumers balancing inflation and energy costs, the March numbers offer a mixed signal: a seasonal lift that masks a cautious consumer base.
