UK retail sales growth slowed last month - official statistics

Retail sales in Britain rose by 0.3 per cent in April compared with an upwardly-revised 0.5-per cent gain in March, official data showed yesterday. They climbed by 1.8 per cent in April compared with 12 months earlier, the Office for National...

Retail sales in Britain rose by 0.3 per cent in April compared with an upwardly-revised 0.5-per cent gain in March, official data showed yesterday.

They climbed by 1.8 per cent in April compared with 12 months earlier, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) added in a statement.

"Data released this morning show that the recovery in the retail sector continued in April albeit at a slower pace," said Jorg Radeke, an economist for the London-based Centre for Economics and Business Research.

"Overall, today's data supports the picture of an established recovery in the retail sector following the disruptions at the beginning of the year.

"This is even more remarkable as low earnings growth and above target inflation have a negative impact on spending power."

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