UK retail sales rose 0.4% in March, compared to a revised 0.7% increase in February, down from a 1% increase. Expectations were for a 0.3% decline. On a quarterly basis, sales rose 1.6% in the first quarter ending in March.
In detail, sales volumes in non-food stores, such as clothing and homeware, rose by 1.7%, with clothing sales leading the growth due to improved weather, while grocery store sales fell by