Basket & Barometer April 2026

29th April 2026

Diane Wehrle CEO at Rendle Intelligence and Insights joins Simon for their monthly chat

We read the March 2026 retail and economic data against a month shaped by war and an early Easter, where strong headlines hide weaker high street reality
• March footfall rising year on year but flattered by a weak 2025 comparison
• BRC sales growth driven mainly by food as households buy ahead of Easter
• Non-food sales growth lagging inflation and remaining fragile
• High street sales down sharply with food and drink spend falling hardest
• Pay-cycle spending patterns and how Easter timing shifts monthly demand
• GfK consumer confidence sliding with personal finance views turning negative
• Inflation pressure from housing and fuel costs pushing consumers to save more
• Major purchases feeling riskier as caution rises
• Unemployment dipping while economic inactivity increases, changing the real story
• War-driven fuel prices feeding uncertainty with a possible staycation upside

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