Unexpected jump for retail sales

Retail sales rose last month as shoppers appeared to shrug off Brexit uncertainty, official figures show.

Sales were unexpectedly up 0.4 per cent on the previous month and by 0.7 per cent on the last quarter, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

Unusually warm weather in February contributed to the rise in retail sales, the ONS said, boosting spending at garden centres and on sporting equipment.

There was little sign of shoppers stockpiling groceries ahead of Brexit.