UK Retail Sales Begin Year With Fastest Growth in 20 Months

UK retail sales started the year with the fastest growth in 20 months, an unexpected surge that could boost the Labour government’s efforts to revive the economy.

The total volume of goods sold online and in stores surged 1.8% in January, according to the Office for National Statistics, picking-up pace from December’s 0.4% increase and marking the first back-to-back growth in six months. It was stronger than the 0.2% rise predicted by economists.