3 Below

UK retail sales fell by 0. 9% between February and March with shops blaming wet weather for fewer shoppers.

Non-food retailers, in particular, said that rainfall impacted sales with department stores and clothing shops reporting a drop in volumes.

It was The Sixth wettest March On record since 1836, according to the Met Office .

The retail figures were worse than expected and came after a rise in sales the month before.

also said that sales at food shops also fell, down 0. 7%, following shortages of some products.

Many supermarkets imposed limits on fresh produce such as tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers because of poor weather in areas including Southern Spain and North Africa .

The ONS said that "26% of adults experienced shortages of essential food items that were needed on a regular basis" for much of March. That was an increase of the 18% who reported similar problems in February.

The amount of food that people bought last month is 3% below pre-pandemic levels in February 2020, which retailers blamed on the increased cost of living and higher prices.

Source of news: bbc.com