Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Official retail figures, released on Thursday by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), show that sales growth continued to build in February after an encouraging start to the year.
Excluding fuel, the numbers show the total value of sales (not seasonally adjusted) was 4.1% in February compared with a year ago. In January the growth rate was revised up to 1.8%.
The growth was driven by spending on non-food items, including big-ticket items which many people have been cautious about buying for a long time.
British Retail Consortium director general Helen Dickinson said: “There are some reassuring signs here that people are starting to feel a little more positive, but it’s too early to gauge whether this is a temporary upturn or if we’re on the cusp of more secure and lasting revival.
“The Budget brought some good news for consumers which should help to lift the mood further and build on this boost to spending power. But it was disappointing that direct help for high streets barely had a look-in. This gradual growth certainly can’t be taken for granted, as the mixed picture of the last few months confirms that the path to recovery remains a fragile one.”
