Data released by the Office for National Statistics showed that in August UK retail sales rebounded for the fourth consecutive month, supported by improved demand for commodities - suggesting the British economy is heading towards recovery.
Sales rose by 0.8%, better than the expected 0.7% and up on the previous reading of 3.7%. Online sales of goods increased by 2.8% year-on-year, registering their largest increase since October 2019.
Spending on home improvements continued to rise in August, with sales volumes in home goods stores up by 9.9% on February. In hardware, paint and glass stores, sales were 12.9% higher than before lockdown.
