Surprise rise in UK high street sales
Retail sales in Britain showed an unexpected rise in August after higher sales of clothing and food, official figures showed today.
Despite widespread reports of wet weather washing out sales, Britai's Office for National Statistics (ONS) said volumes rose by 0.6% between July and August.
Although retailers said the poor weather had an impact, the usual August downturn was slightly smaller than in previous years.
The surprise figures went against recent surveys, which had indicated a sharp slowdown and led analysts to forecast a second consecutive monthly fall.
The monthly hike, which could increase the possibility of another rise in interest rates, was mainly due to increases in sales at clothing stores, food stores and department stores.
Sales of back-to-school items and the launch of new catalogues offset regular downward effects associated with the holiday season.
The total value of sales in August was estimated at £18.2bn (€26.7bn), 5.5% higher than the same month last year.
The average weekly value of retail sales was £4.55bn (€6.68bn), 5.5% higher than in August last year and 2.4% lower than last month.
