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| UK retail sales bounce back in April despite cold weather | UK retail sales bounce back in April despite cold weather |
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| UK retail sales volumes rose strongly in April despite lower spring clothing sales due to the cold weather, official figures show. | UK retail sales volumes rose strongly in April despite lower spring clothing sales due to the cold weather, official figures show. |
| Sales were 1.3% higher in the month compared with March. | Sales were 1.3% higher in the month compared with March. |
| They were also 4.3% higher than a year earlier, the Office For National Statistics (ONS) said. | They were also 4.3% higher than a year earlier, the Office For National Statistics (ONS) said. |
| The ONS significantly revised March's retail sales figures, showing retail sales fell by just 0.5% rather than 1.3%, as first estimated. | The ONS significantly revised March's retail sales figures, showing retail sales fell by just 0.5% rather than 1.3%, as first estimated. |
| "Clothing stores remain the main drag on growth in the retail sector, with sales hampered by unseasonal weather. However... sales increased in April compared with March as lower prices boosted sales," ONS statistician Melanie Richard said. | "Clothing stores remain the main drag on growth in the retail sector, with sales hampered by unseasonal weather. However... sales increased in April compared with March as lower prices boosted sales," ONS statistician Melanie Richard said. |
| Colder than usual weather has also dented spending in March, hurting demand for spring and summer clothes, according to the ONS, and earlier surveys from the British Retail Consortium and the Confederation of British Industry. | |
| The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said the rise in April's retail sales was welcome, but highlighted imbalances in the UK economy. | |
| "After the disappointing decline in March, the strong retail sales recovery in April supports our view that in spite of major headwinds the UK economy continues to grow, albeit at a slowing pace," said David Kern, BCC chief economist. | |
| "However, the contrast between buoyant retail sales and the problems facing other sectors such as manufacturing highlights the unbalanced nature of Britain's recovery." | |
| The BCC called for "a more balanced economic structure with a stronger focus on exports, investment and manufacturing." |