UK retail sales crept up 1% in the three months to February compared with the previous three months according to government statistics out today (20 March).


The increase was driven by a 1% rise in food sales, the Office for National Statistics said, despite an expected decline by analysts.


Total sales volume in the three months to February 2008 was 4.7% higher than the same period a year ago, while figures for food retail rose by 2%, the largest growth for this sector since May 2007.