UK retail sales rebound sharply in April, beat estimates

The UK retail sales for April came in much stronger-than expected and staged a solid rebound from the drop seen previously. On monthly basis, total retail sales jumped 1.3% in April, while sales excluding fuel picked up even more by 1.5%, the figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed on Thursday.

ONS head of retail sales Melanie Richard noted, "Clothing stores remain the main drag on growth in the retail sector, with sales hampered by unseasonal weather. However, both the volume and value of sales increased in April compared with March as lower prices boosted sales."