Economics
UK Retail Sales Jump Masks Growing Concerns Over Outlook
- Britons are staying in to save money amid cost of living shock
- Shift explains spending on supermarket alcohol and sweets
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Such is that state of the UK consumer that even seemingly positive data can reveal bad news about the economy.
After a week of grim reports showing inflation at a four-decade high and consumer confidence at the lowest level since at least 1974, a release on Friday showing retail sales unexpectedly rose in April appeared to buck the trend.