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| UK retail sales fall 1.3% in March | UK retail sales fall 1.3% in March |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Retail sales volumes dropped 1.3% in March, compared with February, a bigger fall than was expected. | Retail sales volumes dropped 1.3% in March, compared with February, a bigger fall than was expected. |
| However, compared with a year ago, sales volumes were 2.7% higher in March. | However, compared with a year ago, sales volumes were 2.7% higher in March. |
| Figures from the Office for National Statistics show this was the 35th consecutive month of annual growth. | Figures from the Office for National Statistics show this was the 35th consecutive month of annual growth. |
| Prices - including those at petrol stations, which fluctuate more rapidly than most others - fell by 3.0% in March compared with last year. | Prices - including those at petrol stations, which fluctuate more rapidly than most others - fell by 3.0% in March compared with last year. |
| That indicates inflation will continues to remain low. | That indicates inflation will continues to remain low. |
| The amount spent in the retail industry slipped by 0.1% from a year earlier. | The amount spent in the retail industry slipped by 0.1% from a year earlier. |
| Online sales continued to far outstrip those from physical outlets. The value of online sales was 8.9% higher than a year ago. | Online sales continued to far outstrip those from physical outlets. The value of online sales was 8.9% higher than a year ago. |
| Keith Richardson, from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said the figures showed the impact of an early Easter, as well as bad weather from Storm Katie: "The four-day Easter weekend normally brings with it bumper sales of food, spring fashion and plenty of DIY and gardening goods as families use the extra days off to spruce up their homes. | |
| "Not only did Easter come too early for people looking to refresh their spring wardrobes, but it also coincided with bad weather sweeping across much of the UK, dampening any enthusiasm for gardening equipment." |