UK retail sales fall at fastest rate since first pandemic lockdown

British retail sales have tumbled this month by the most since April 2020 when most ​non-food shops were closed at the start of ‌the COVID-19 pandemic, a survey showed this week.

The Confederation of British Industry’s said its monthly gauge of retailers’ annual ​change in sales volumes sank to -52 in March ​from an already weak -43 in February, and businesses ⁠expected only a marginal improvement to -49 in April.

“Retailers ​report that weak economic conditions continue to weigh on ​household spending...