Friday 20 May 2022 07:37 AM Retail sales show surprise increase as Brits stocked up on holiday clothes trends now
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Retail sales recorded a surprise increase in April as Brits stocked up on clothes for post-Covid holidays, it was revealed today.
Official figures confounded the expectations of analysts for a fall with volumes rising 1.4 per cent, while the previous drop in March was revised down slightly to 1.2 per cent.
Shops reported that some consumers were purchasing outfits for jaunts abroad and weddings.
However, there were grimmer long-term signs as inflation soars and the economy slows down. Much of the bounce was due to supermarket sales and off-licences - suggesting people were buying food and drink for cheaper nights in rather than going out to bars and restaurants.
ONS deputy director for surveys and economic indicators Heather Bovill said: 'Retail sales picked up in April after last month's fall. However, these figures still show a continued longer-term
