THE gloom over the UK high street has been lifted by official figures showing retail sales rising unexpectedly in April.
Catalogue retailers, food stores and clothing chains saw trade pick up as retail sales volumes rose 0.5 per cent in April, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The rebound from a 0.3 per cent fall in March surprised economists who were braced for bad news after survey data suggested high street sales had fallen to their lowest level in a decade.
High street stalwarts such as clothing giant Next and Argos owner GUS have also reported slowing sales as uncertainty over the General Election, poor weather and interest rates took their toll on the consumer.
Despite the upbeat monthly performance, the ONS said the annual growth rate of retail sales was now weaker than at any time for two years.
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