UK Retail Sales Growth Exceeds Forecasts âšī¸
UK retail sales surged 1.2% in April 2025, exceeding forecasts, with food store sales rebounding 3.9% while non-food store sales declined 0.7%. Annual retail sales grew 5%, the highest since February 2022.
Strong consumer spending signals economic resilience, with food sector performance particularly robust. Favorable weather conditions and potential post-pandemic recovery suggest positive economic momentum, which could benefit broader market indices and consumer-focused sectors.
New Zealand Retail Sales Beat Expectations in Q1 âšī¸
New Zealand's retail sales increased 0.8% quarter-on-quarter in March 2025, driven by motor vehicles, pharmaceuticals, and clothing sectors, while hardware and liquor sales declined.
Moderate retail sales growth indicates stable consumer spending with mixed sectoral performance. Limited direct relevance to global portfolio due to localized economic data.