Positive data raises hopes for a busy Christmas shopping season
Figures from British Retail Consortium and Barclays point to more purchases of summer clothing and barbecues
ONS reports 0.5% rise in quantity of goods bought helped by Euros tournament and shop discounts
Surge in payments as England fans drowned their sorrows fails to offset decline in overall consumer transactions
Public finance data shows large debt challenge facing next government
Volume drops 2.3% compared with forecast of 0.4% decline
Value of retail sales fell at an annual rate of 4% in April, after 3.5% growth in March
Economists had expected 0.3% expansion in March
Data from British Retail Consortium points to signs of recovery for sector ahead of warmer months
ONS figures defy expectations of contraction as growth in clothing purchases offsets lower food sales
British Retail Consortium says consumer demand was hit by bad weather
Increase in January volumes suggests economy has picked up momentum after weak end to 2023
Figures from British Retail Consortium point to continuing impact of cost of living crisis on households
Uptick in inflation and disappointing retail sales complicate picture for Bank of England, say analysts
Figures raise risk that UK fell into technical recession at the end of 2023
Supermarket group among biggest fallers on FTSE 100 as strong grocery Christmas sales are overshadowed
Findings by BRC in festive period cast a shadow over more promising recent economic data
High-profile collapses from House of Fraser to Debenhams prompt sector’s remaining players to invest for future
ONS registers fastest month-on-month growth in November since start of 2023
British Retail Consortium says sales growth was below inflation in November, ahead of busiest spending period
Figures contrast with expectations of a rise and send gilt yields lower
Data from British Retail Consortium points to household caution ahead of busiest shopping season
Better than expected data on budget deficit raises pressure on chancellor Jeremy Hunt to outline tax cuts
July rain had depressed quantity of goods bought, says UK’s statistics agency
Retail sales rise at annual rate of 4.1% after boost from holiday purchases, according to BRC figures
