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Retail sales across Great Britain have risen, in a sign that consumer spending is holding up despite the pressure from inflation.
New data from the Office for National Statistics this morning shows that retail sales volumes increased by 0.5% in September, and were 1.5% higher than a year earlier. Economists had expected a 0.2% monthly drop.
The ONS reports that sales grew strongly at non-food stores, including computer and telecommunications retailers.
