Retail sales up for third consecutive month as shoppers spend despite fragile economy.
According to the CBI's latest Distributive Trades Survey, a balance of 13% of retailers said that sales in early April were higher than a year ago, with 43% reporting an increase in sales volumes and 30% reporting a drop. The net balance matched March's figures and was broadly in line with businesses' expectations, said the CBI.

A balance of 17% of retailers anticipate the growth to continue next month, while a net balance of 11% of retailers described sales as poor for this time of year.

Grocers, footwear and leather shops and durable household goods reported strong annual sales growth for the month, while clothing shops and furniture and carpet retailers saw a much slower pace of sales growth by comparison. Encouragingly, hardware, china and DIY sales stabilised in April after three months of sharp falls.

Asda ceo and chairman of the CBI Distributive Trades Panel Andy Clarke commented: "Spring has landed on the high street with some modest but welcome sales growth, and that improvement is expected to carry on into early May.

"Grocers and shoe shops fared reasonably well in April, and the lift in the housing market seems to have fed through to sales of white goods and furniture. However, the UK economy remains in a fragile place, and last week's higher unemployment figures will have unsettled many shoppers."