Furniture retail sales jumped during March, ending a run of two straight months of declining sales.

According to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics, furniture retail sales rose 31.9% to £1.57bn from £1.19bn in February. Compared to the previous year, sales improved 44% from £1.09bn.

Floorcovering retail sales were also up month-on-month by 28.9% to £281m from £218m. Compared to the same time last year, sales increased by 155% from £110m.

Overall, total retail sales volume (quantity bought) in March fell by 1.4%, while the value (amount spent) decreased by 0.2% to £44.7bn.

Commenting on the retail sales figures for March, ONS Director of Economic Statistics Darren Morgan said: “Retail sales fell back notably in March with rises in the cost of living hitting consumers’ spending. 

“Online sales were hit particularly hard due to lower levels of discretionary spending.

“Fuel sales also fell substantially, with evidence suggesting some people reduced non-essential journeys, following record high petrol prices, while food sales continued to fall, dropping for the fifth consecutive month.”