Business & Technology
UK online retail sales fall in April after March lift
JOSEPH GABRIEL LAGONSIN
News Editor
UK online retail sales values fell 2.3% in April from the previous month, while official retail sales volumes dropped 1.3%.
The figures point to a weaker month for retailers after March showed growth in both overall sales volumes and online spending.
Office for National Statistics data showed non-store retailers, a category dominated by online sellers, recorded a 2% fall in sales volumes in April compared with March. The amount consumers spent online also declined 2.3% month on month.
The downturn followed a stronger March, when retail sales volumes rose 0.6% and online sales values increased 2.4%. The reversal has prompted fresh scrutiny of how weaker consumer sentiment and broader geopolitical tensions are affecting household spending.
David Jinks, head of consumer research at Parcelhero, said: “The Iran conflict didn’t seem to make a dent in retail sales back in March, when sales volumes rose by 0.6% and the value of online sales climbed 2.4%. However, it hit home in April. The ONS says lower demand, variable weather and motorists conserving fuel all had an impact.
“E-commerce had a particularly lacklustre April. Non-store retailers, the ONS category predominantly made up of online sellers, reported sales volumes were down 2% on the previous month. Similarly, the amount spent online fell 2.3% from March.”
Three-month view
Month-on-month retail data can swing sharply, and the ONS often places more weight on broader trends. On that measure, the picture was more stable.
The quantity of goods bought rose 0.5% in the three months to April compared with the three months to January. Over the same period, online sales values increased 2.2%.
Annual comparisons were stronger still. Online sales values were 6.6% higher in April than a year earlier, while the three months to April were up 9.3% on the same period a year before.
Jinks said: “However, month-on-month comparisons are notoriously volatile. The ONS prefers to look at the three-month pattern. These figures offered better news and revealed some silver linings among April’s clouds. The quantity of goods bought is estimated to have risen by 0.5% in the three months to April 2026 compared with the three months to January 2026. E-commerce also performed well over this period. The amount spent online rose 2.2% when comparing the three months to April 2026 with the three months to January 2026.
“There were more silver linings in the annual figures. Online sales values rose 6.6% year on year, comparing April 2026 with April 2025. Looking at the key three-month indicator, the news was even more positive, with online sales values rising 9.3% year on year against the same period in 2025.”
Consumer pressure
The April decline comes amid mixed signals for the UK consumer economy. Inflation eased to 2.8%, but confidence has come under pressure and retailers are still contending with cautious discretionary spending.
The ONS attributed April’s softer performance to lower demand, variable weather and motorists cutting back on fuel use, suggesting household budgets remain sensitive to economic and external shocks.
Retailers with exposure to both physical shops and digital channels may be better placed to absorb abrupt changes in demand patterns. The contrast between monthly weakness and stronger three-month and annual figures points to a market that remains uneven rather than uniformly weak.
Jinks said: “As we move towards the summer, forecasting how retail will perform in the coming months is a tough call. To a certain extent, it all depends on international events and their impact on the wider UK economy. This month has brought mixed signals, with inflation unexpectedly falling to 2.8% and the Government cutting VAT on some summer attractions in response to a reported decline in consumer confidence. May’s retail sales results will be eagerly anticipated.
“Ultimately, however fickle or strong key retail periods prove to be, stores with both a High Street and online offering are best protected against unexpected events. Parcelhero’s report ‘2030: The High Street Fights Back?’ has just been launched as the sequel to its 2016 publication ‘2030: The Death of the High Street’. The update examines the impact of eCommerce and events such as the pandemic on town centres. It concludes that the High Street may not have reached a dead end by 2030 but, in this new age of retail, will have arrived at its biggest crossroads.”
Business & Technology
Rosa’s Thai is giving away 4000 free Pad Thais to students
Celebrating both GCSE and A-Level Results Days, the chain will offer the popular dish to students who buy one of its bubble teas.
The free offer is available at all 42 Rosa’s Thai restaurants across England and Wales.
To avail of the free noodles, students need to register on Rosa’s Thai website for a unique code, which they should present at the restaurant together with a copy of their results.
Rosa’s Thai has a new range of bubble tea flavours, including Ube-Taro, Matcha-Coconut, Mango Sticky Rice, and Milo Chocolate Milk, as well as favourites like Home-brewed Thai Tea with Tapioca, and Lychee Mango with mango boba.
Students can sign up for their free Pad Thai at rosasthai.com/result-day-free-pad-thai and find their nearest restaurant at rosasthai.com/locations.
Business & Technology
Historic coin company enters administration after 20 years
The London Mint Office, which distributes commemorative coins and medals, appointed administrators on July 31 after 20 years in business.
The company’s website now displays a message confirming the appointment of Michael Magnay and Jonny Marston of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP as joint administrators.
A spokesman for Alvarez and Marsal said: “On July 31 2026, Michael Magnay and Jonny Marston of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP were appointed as Joint Administrators of The London Mint Office Limited in administration (the “Company”).
“Regrettably, the Company’s liquidity challenges have led to a number of immediate redundancies. We are supporting the affected employees through the redundancy process.
What Happens When a Company Goes Into Administration?
“The affairs, business and property of the Company are being managed by the Joint Administrators who act as agents of the Company and without personal liability.”
The announcement confirms that it is no longer possible to purchase coins or medals through the company’s website.
The London Mint Office operates a distribution centre in Tonypandy, Rhondda Cynon Taf, where it employs a significant number of people.
Administration is a formal insolvency process triggered when a business cannot meet its financial obligations.
An insolvency practitioner is appointed to manage the company’s affairs and may attempt to restructure the business or sell off assets to repay creditors.
What happens when a company goes into Liquidation?
Founded in 2006, The London Mint Office describes itself as “one of the UK’s most trusted suppliers of historic, commemorative, and collector coins.”
It is part of Samlerhuset AS, a Norwegian company based near Oslo and one of Europe’s largest distributors of commemorative coins and medals.
Samlerhuset’s website states that it offers “provide a wide range of coins from ancient to modern, originating from virtually every country in the world.”
The London Mint Office has advised anyone with an interest in the company’s assets to contact the administrators at INS_THLMOL@alvarezandmarsal.com.
Business & Technology
Warning of new rules for Aldi and Lidl after watchdog review
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has provisionally decided that both discounters should be added to the Groceries Market Investigation (Controlled Land) Order 2010, which currently applies to Asda, Co-op, Marks and Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Waitrose.
This order is designed to prevent large grocery retailers from using land agreements to block competitors from opening nearby stores, often through restrictive covenants or exclusivity terms.
Juliette Enser, executive director of competition enforcement and markets at the CMA, said: “We want everyone to have the best choice of supermarket and range of prices when buying their groceries.
“To ensure this happens, we put rules in place to prevent big supermarket chains blocking rival stores from opening nearby – and now we propose applying those rules to Aldi and Lidl too.
“This is about allowing shoppers to choose where they spend their money and levelling the playing field for all major supermarkets.
“Today’s proposals are provisional and we welcome views before deciding the best way forward.”
The CMA’s review found that Aldi, Lidl GB, and Lidl NI now meet the criteria of ‘Large Grocery Retailers’ (LGRs) due to their store footprint, nationwide presence, procurement model, and the breadth of their grocery range.
Aldi and Lidl were originally excluded from the 2010 order as ‘limited assortment discounters’, offering a smaller selection of products compared to traditional supermarkets.
However, the CMA’s provisional findings indicate that this is no longer the case.
All three now operate large grocery stores, each with more than 1,000 square metres of shop floor space, and offer a full range of products, though with less category choice than some competitors.
They also purchase goods directly from suppliers through integrated wholesaling.
With the UK grocery market estimated to be worth £215 billion, Aldi and Lidl are now ranked among the top five retailers by market share.
The CMA is seeking feedback from stakeholders before reaching a final decision.
Aldi and Lidl could join the other supermarket chains later this year.
The CMA is inviting views until 5pm on Monday, September 7, 2026, and will issue its final decision in the autumn after reviewing responses.
If the discounters are included under the order, they will be prevented from using land agreements to limit competition from other supermarket chains.
The CMA aims to ensure competition across the grocery sector to give shoppers more choice and competitive pricing by removing obstacles to new store openings.
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