Clothing sales boost retail sales for April, says ONS

IMPROVED takings for clothing and department stores helped lift retail sales volumes in April.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed retail sales volumes were 0.9% up on March and 2.6% higher year-on-year,.

Traders reported a boost from the later Easter and better weather bringing out more shoppers.

But the ONS warned that the picture was "mixed" – with household goods stores still under pressure.