UK retail sales grew unexpectedly in April despite consumer confidence sliding to a record low as soaring inflation boosted the cost of living further.
Retail sales expanded 1.4 percent monthly, reversing a revised 1.2 percent decline in March, data published by the Office for National Statistics showed Friday.
Sales were forecast to drop 0.2 percent in April.
Food store sales volumes gained 2.8 percent in April, mostly because of higher spending on alcohol and tobacco in supermarkets.
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June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.