UK retail sales boosted as shoppers snap up new outfits ahead of lockdown easing

Non-essential stores reopened in the UK this month and saw strong demand and long queues by customers.

Retail sales increased ahead of planned reopenings as shoppers bought more clothes, according to the UK ONS. Picture: David Parry/PA

British retail sales in March beat expectations, with shoppers spending more in preparation of going out again once lockdown restrictions ease, according to new data.

The UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed the amount spent by shoppers increased 7.3% in March and quantity bought rose 7.2% compared with the same month a year earlier – just as the first Covid-19 lockdown started.