Fitness drive lifts sales

SHOPPERS splashed out on gym kit last month as they embarked on a New Year health drive, according to figures.

The Office for National Statistics said sales of sporting equipment rose by more than normal in January. Senior statistician Rhian Murphy noted ‘ an increased uptake for gym wear’ as Britons resolved to get fit and run off the Christmas turkey.

‘Feedback from retailers suggested that New Year’s resolutions to “get fit and lose weight” contributed to this increase of sales when compared with the previous year,’ she said. But while sales of sports equipment, games and toys were up 10.9pc on a year earlier, food sales were down 0.9pc.

‘With the combination of reduced food demand and markedly increased spending on sports equipment and gym wear, there should be a marked improvement in the UK’s fitness at the start of 2018,’ said Howard Archer, chief economic adviser to the Ernst & Young Item Club.

Total retail sales last month were 1.6pc higher than in the same month last year.