Retail sales volumes jumped 0.8 percent in February, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, almost doubling analysts’ expectations.
The February figure was driven by petrol, supermarkets and online shopping. Inflation also slowed in February, down to 2.7 percent.
ONS senior statistician, Rhian Murphy, said: “Store prices continue to rise across all store types, but at a lower rate than the previous month.”
Supermarket sales rose by 0.6 percent over the month, but trade at non-food stores fell by 0.3 percent. This may add to fears of high street crisis in the wake of a string of high profile store closures, with the ONS suggesting consumers are choosing to spend their money on essential items.
The increase in February was also not enough to make up for the previous two months of weak spending, with the December – February quarter still down 0.4 percent on the one previously.