RETAIL sales plummeted last month as shoppers were deterred by heavy rain and a rise in cost-of-living pressures.

Sales fell by 2.3 per cent across all sectors, but clothing, sports equipment, furniture and games and toys were particularly hit by the storms and heavy rainfall during April.

Clothing and household store sales tumbled by 4.1 per cent — the joint-steepest fall since January 2021 — while fashion and footwear retailers alone saw sales dip by 5.1 per cent month on month.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said that it was important for people to be able to spend in their local economies in order to boost growth and businesses. 

He said:  “That’s the only way we’ll be able to achieve a sustainable recovery. 

“Today’s slump in retail sales shows that families are still struggling with the cost-of-living crisis — with millions having to cut back. 

“The huge pressure on household budgets is far from over.

“The Conservatives can brag all they like about their plan working. But the British public are not fools. 

“Many bills are still going up and real wages are still worth less than in 2008.” 

An Office for National Statistics survey found 55 per cent of adults reported that their cost of living had increased over the last month.

Around two in five said that it had remained the same, with just three per cent saying it had decreased.

Among those who said it had increased, 94 per cent cited the price of food, 61 per cent said fuel and 53 per cent energy bills.