Report Summary

Period covered: 06 April – 03 May 2025

3 minute read

Electricals sales

Electricals sales rose by xx% in April YoY against a xx% decline a year ago.

Across March and April combined, sales rose xx%, compared to a xx% decline in 2024.

The electricals sector continued its recovery in April, helped by a potent combination of seasonal triggers and underlying structural drivers. A wave of home moves that completed in March drove demand for essential appliances through April, as new homeowners kitted out kitchens and utility spaces.

Retailers reported particularly strong sales in white goods, driven by package deals and promotional bundles that resonated with budget-conscious consumers.

Meanwhile, warm weather and the school holidays fuelled interest in personal electronics. Sales of wearable tech, headphones, portable speakers and travel gadgets rose, as households prepared for spring getaways and outdoor leisure. There was also a notable uptick in purchases of children’s tech, with some families choosing to buy tablets and handheld consoles to entertain kids over the break.

The sector also benefited from promotional intensity. Retailers used Easter as a springboard to shift older stock and stimulate discretionary spend. Many shoppers responded positively to perceived value in offers on electronics, including multi-buy and cashback promotions. Price-matching and bundle deals helped support volume even in the absence of major new product launches.

Category performance

Large domestic appliances continued to lead, driven by the housing mini-boom. White goods, particularly fridge-freezers, washing machines and dishwashers, saw strong sales both online and in-store.

Personal audio and wearable tech saw healthy demand, boosted by early holiday planning and warmer weather. Wireless earbuds, fitness trackers and smartwatches performed well, as shoppers geared up for spring activities.

The early signs of outdoor leisure seasonality fed through into stronger demand for portable gadgets, especially from multichannel retailers with next-day delivery options.

Home entertainment remained more subdued, with some retailers citing interest in older-generation consoles due to attractive pricing.

Laptops and tablets saw modest growth, driven by educational purchases and replacement cycles. Value-led offers and student-targeted promotions helped keep momentum going, but buyers remained sensitive to price.

Footfall and channel activity

Footfall across retail parks and high streets rose sharply in April, aided by the warmest and sunniest April on record. Retail parks, often home to large-format electricals and home improvement stores, saw the strongest performance. However, the uplift in physical traffic did not come at the expense of online sales.

Many shoppers researched products in store and completed purchases online, drawn by flexible delivery and better prices. This showroom-to-screen dynamic was particularly prevalent in large domestic appliances and tech accessories.

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