Unexpected bonus for the High Street

Retail sales in the UK registered a surprise pick-up in March, led by strong food and non-store sales.

Sales volumes rose 0.2% compared with a month earlier, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Market analysts had expected a much weaker number after a downbeat survey was released by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) last week.

Hugh Pym reports.

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