Retailers reported strong growth in sales volumes in January, according to the CBI's monthly Distributive Trades Survey.
Volume growth exceeded expectations and sales were well above average for the time of year, with grocers reporting another month of robust growth.
Fifty-three per cent respondents said sales were up on a year ago, while 15 per cent said they were down. Year-on-year growth is also likely to be exaggerated by the comparison with sales in January 2003 when sales were disappointing.
The underlying trend edged upwards and now is at its strongest level since June 2002, strong sales growth is expected to continue this month.
Ian McCafferty, CBI chief economic adviser, said: "The survey shows that many retailers had a better January than they were expecting."
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