Despite the wet weather in recent months, retailers experienced rapid growth in sales in the year to February, beating all expectations.
Sales across the high street have grown at their fastest pace since June 2012, according to the CBI's latest Distributive Trades Survey of 120 retailers.

Furniture and carpet retailers, in particular, experienced their fastest growth in sales since September 2013.

Elsewhere, wholesalers reported firm increases in business in the year to February.

Barry Williams, chair of the CBI Distributive Trades Survey panel, said: "The high streets have kicked on once again this month, with growth the strongest since the summer of 2012.

"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."

This rapid growth in sales has led retailers to expect their overall business situation to improve over the next three months, says the CBI.