Retail sales grew at a healthy pace in November, contrary to evidence of muted consumer confidence and strains on retailers in the run-up to Christmas.
Official data released by the Office for National Statistics on Thursday showed the quantity of goods bought from retailers in the three months to November was 0.4% higher than in the previous three months.
Sales volumes had increased by 1.4% month on month, well ahead of the average forecast of 0.3% growth. The month-on-month increase was probably due in part to people deferring purchases from October and doing Christmas shopping early in order to take advantage of Black Friday discounts, said analysts.
