Retail sales hold up better than expected in February

Total UK retail sales were up 5.2% in February against an increase of 6.7% last year, according to the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor.

Consumers have continued to spend despite the cost-of-living crisis (Andrew Matthews/PA) (PA Wire)

Retail sales held up better than expected in February as consumers proved they are still ready to celebrate events such as Valentine’s Day despite the-cost-of living crisis.

Total UK retail sales were up 5.2% in February against an increase of 6.7% for the same month last year – below the three-month average of 5.5% and above the 12-month average of 2.4%, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC)-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor.

Food sales increased by 8.3% over the three months to February and non-food sales were up 3.2% while online non-food sales fell by 3.1% against a decline of 28.4% last February.