Latest ONS data reveals contrasting trends in April 2026, with unchanged high street visits alongside a sharp acceleration in fuel price growth.
The Office for National Statistics has painted a complex picture of the UK economy in April 2026, reporting that shoppers continued visiting physical stores at steady rates even as fuel costs began climbing more rapidly.
The Numbers Behind the Story
According to the ONS’s latest “Economic activity and social change in the UK” release, retail footfall remained “broadly unchanged” last month compared to March 2026. This stability comes as welcome news for high street retailers who’ve faced persistent challenges But the data tells a more fine-grained story when you dig deeper.
Revolut debit card spending edged up by 1% month-on-month, suggesting consumers haven’t completely tightened their purse strings. Yet the most striking figure was buried in the fuel price data – the annual growth rate in average petrol costs jumped by a major 20 percentage points.
High Streets Still Struggling
The British Retail Consortium’s separate analysis reveals the underlying weakness in physical retail. Their data for the four weeks covering 5 April to 2 May showed total UK retail footfall down 10.7% compared to the same period last year.
High streets bore the brunt of this decline, with visitor numbers falling 9.2% year-on-year. Shopping centres fared slightly worse at 10.0% down, while retail parks saw a 9.0% drop.
Helen Dickinson from the British Retail Consortium linked these declines to softer consumer confidence and ongoing geopolitical tensions, including conflict in the Middle East. The timing of Easter also played a role – it fell in March this year rather than April 2025.
Fuel Price Pressure Mounts
The 20 percentage point surge in the annual growth rate of fuel prices represents the sharpest change in the ONS data. This acceleration typically feeds through into broader consumer price inflation, hitting household budgets through higher transport costs.
These experimental statistics from the ONS draw on non-traditional data sources, including payment processors like Revolut and commercial footfall providers. While they offer near real-time insights, officials stress they’re early signals that may be revised as more complete data becomes available.
Source: @ONS
Key Takeaways
- UK retail footfall held steady in April 2026 but remains 10.7% below last year’s levels
- Consumer card spending through Revolut increased modestly by 1% month-on-month
- Fuel price growth accelerated sharply, rising 20 percentage points annually
What This Means for Kent Residents
Kent households should prepare for higher petrol costs in the coming months, chiefly given the county’s car-dependent communities and large commuting population. Local retailers across Maidstone, Canterbury, Ashford and coastal towns may face continued pressure from weak footfall trends, potentially leading to changes in opening hours or service levels. Consider consolidating shopping trips and exploring local alternatives to reduce fuel consumption, while supporting your local high street where possible to help maintain community retail options.