Retail sales grew modestly in February after January's rebound from two-year lows, a survey showed today.
The British Retail Consortium said sales last month were 1.5 per cent higher, on a like-for-like basis, than in February last year. Total sales, which include new floorspace, were 3.9 per cent higher.
December saw the lowest growth in sales since early 2006, followed by a rebound in January to 2.6 per cent.
Food sales remained strong in February, partly boosted by high commodity prices, while clothing sales fell below their year-earlier level for the fifth consecutive month.