Stores received a surprisingly significant increase in January, retail sales increased by 1.7% – much more than increased forecasts of 0.3% by economists.
This is the first growth since August and has a decrease of 0.6% in the Month of key purchases of DecemberAccording to Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures.
There has been no increase in this size since May.
It came then that sales of food stores increased by 5.6% – the highest amount since March 2020, when COVVI -19 locking started.
Stores through the food and drinks sector have benefited, according to the ons, because supermarkets, alcohol and tobacco stores as well as specialized stores such as butchers and bakers have all declared solid exchanges.
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The retail sales figures are important because they measure household consumption, the most important expenses in the British economy.
Retail sales growth can mean economic growth, which, according to the government, has repeatedly said its top priority.
But trading was slower against clothing sellers and other non -food retailers because sales fell 1.3% over the month.
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Combined with other data published on Friday showing an improved feeling of consumers, the figures show an economy of strengthening.
Salaries increases and interest rate reductions have contributed to increasing the long -standing measure of consumer confidence by the GFK market research company.
This increase had also not been expected by economists.
Neil Bellamy, director of consumer insights at NIQ GFK, said: “The greatest improvement is how consumers see their personal finances for the coming year with an increase of four points which eliminates this measure from the negative territory.
“The drop in rates will have enlightened the atmosphere for some people, but the majority is still struggling with a cost of living crisis which is far from over.”