//
Data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed a 0.9 per cent climb during April, with sales increasing 2.6 per cent on a year-on-year basis.
The monthly climb is greater than that predicted by many analysts, who had forecast a rise of 0.5 per cent.
Recently-released figures from the British Retail Consortium had also indicated that sales were up during April, but Vicky Redwood of Capital Economics suggested that the signs, although positive, are not necessarily indicative of a revival in the long term.
"We remain doubtful that this is the start of a sharp or sustained consumer recovery," she stated.
Earlier this month, the ONS announced that the consumer prices index declined 0.6 per cent to 2.3 per cent during April, bringing the figure closer to the government's target of two per cent.
