Retail sales defy the floods to hit 20-month high

Retail sales grew unexpectedly strongly last month, growing at the fastest rate since June 2012, according to the employers’ organisation the CBI.

Its monthly survey found retailers’ investment plans this year are at their highest since November 2010.

January sales were particularly high among grocers, clothing and furniture & carpet retailers, but specialist food & drink recorded a fall in sales volumes for the second successive month.

Barry Williams, chair of the CBI distributive trades survey panel, said: “Overall sales have been remarkably resilient in the face of disruption from the exceptional weather across the UK, which has badly affected many families and businesses.”