UK retail sales rose in January after falling the previous month.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), UK retail sales rose 1.9% in January after falling 4.0% in December.
Compared to the same period last year, when the closure of non-essential businesses was ordered, retail sales in January increased by 9.1% this year and were 3.6% higher than the level before the pandemic.
The UK retail sector as a whole adapted well during the pandemic. Total sales were back above January 2020 levels July 2020 as more people turned to online shopping.
Rapidly rising inflation is posing new challenges for the retail sector. At 5.5%, it has reached its highest level in almost 30 years, and the Bank of England expects it to exceed 7% in April.