Heather Bovill News

LONDON (Reuters) -British retail sales rose by a stronger-than-expected 3.4% in January, according to official figures that showed signs of strength among consumers a day after data confirmed the country's economy entered a recession last year.

Non-food store sales volumes fell by 3.9% last month, following a 2.7% increase in November when Black Friday discounts increased sales.

British retail sales partially recovered in August after a rainy July washout, official figures showed on Friday, adding to signs that the country's consumers were mostly coping with the cost-of-living squeeze. Sales volumes rose by 0.4% on a month-on-month basis after a sharp 1.1% fall in July, the Office for National Statistics said. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast a slightly stronger 0.5% rise in August. While sales overall remained subdued, the partial recovery was driven by food sales and a strong month for clothing, Heather Bovill, deputy director for surveys and economic indicators at the Office for National Statistics (ONS), said. «These were partially offset by internet sales, which dropped slightly as some people returned to shopping in person following a very wet July.

By William Schomberg and William James

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