UK retail sales in surprise 0.9pc jump
UK retail sales rose 0.9 per cent in January compared with the precious month, official figures showed.
The surprise lift followed a 0.6 per cent rise in December, according to the figures from the Office for National Statistics.
Sales rose at thir fastest pace since April 2011, as consumers splashed out on furniture and sports goods, official data showed on Friday, adding to signs that the economy is on course for recovery.
A string of strong business surveys and some stabilisation in the labour market have raised hopes that Britain’s economy will avoid recession after contracting in the last three months of 2011.
In contrast, economists had forecast a monthly fall of 0.4 per cent and an annual rise of 0.5 per cent. This compares with a monthly rise of 0.6 per cent in December, when shops lured customers with hefty pre-Christmas discounts.