Fashion retail sales surged in the UK in March, bolstered by shoppers looking ahead to the easing of lockdown restrictions.

Total like-for-like fashion sales rose 57.5% last month, compared to March 2020’s reading of -25.9%.

This is the first positive result for fashion retail sales since before the coronavirus crisis hit Britain, boosted by three week-long growth last month.

In addition, lifestyle sales also increased in March, reports City AM, rising 14.7% and countering a reading of -11.6% in March 2020, representing the first positive reading since November last year.

The rise was fuelled by consumers hiking purchases for the home in preparation to be permitted to meet family and friends outdoors from 29 March.

Homeware sales continued their pattern of growth, rising 112.6% from March 2020’s reading of -9.7%.

Furthermore, online retail sales accelerated, increasing by 157.2%, the second highest ever reading.

According to Sophie Michael, head of retail and wholesale at BDO: “Sales have improved, without a doubt, as retailers have found ways to adapt to lockdown.

“From virtual assistants, to live video sales appointments, retailers have found technological solutions to drive sales, instead of simply shutting down like they did last year.”

She added: “However, as last March’s result was so disastrous, these results simply look better on paper as they’re set against such a poor base.”

Moreover, additional findings by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) showed footfall edged up in March ahead of the easing of lockdown restrictions.

Total UK footfall fell 68.7% March compared to levels from 2019, although more upbeat than the average three-month drop of 72.3%.

Visitors to the high street declined 64.6% compared to before the pandemic, surpassing the three-month average fall of 67.9%.

In regard to retail parks, footfall dropped 36.8% over 2019 levels, whereas shopping centre footfall declined 73.2% on 2019, surpassing the three-month average drop of 76.2%.