Retail sales in the United Kingdom were weak in April.
The British Retail Consortium reported Wednesday that retail sales values declined 2.2 percent on a like-for-like basis from April 2012.
Overall sales were down 0.6 percent on year.
BRC noted that in 2012, same-store sales were down 3.3 percent on year in April while overall sales were down 1.0 percent.
BRC said sales growth was hurt by the timing of Easter, which fell in April last year but in March this year.
"Wintry weather, followed by the arrival of sun, had a big influence on some retailers. Fashion sales were weak early in the month but that was almost entirely made up later when signs of spring arrived. While health and beauty gained both ways with strong sales of cold and flu remedies and then of bronzing and skin care products," said BRC Director General Helen Dickinson.
Online sales rose 8.3 percent. In April 2012, online sales rose 9.0 percent
Adjusted for inflation of 0.4 percent, BRC said total retail sales were down 1.0 percent.
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