20.09.201704:45:00UTC+00UK Retail Sales Growth Accelerates In August

UK retail sales increased at a faster pace in August, data from the Office for National Statistics showed Wednesday.

Retail sales volume including auto fuel advanced 1 percent in August from July, the biggest growth in four months and exceeded the expected rate of 0.2 percent and July's increase of 0.6 percent.

Excluding auto fuel, retail sales volume climbed 1 percent in August after rising 0.7 percent a month ago. Sales were expected to rise slightly by 0.1 percent.

Year-on-year, retail sales volume growth improved to 2.4 percent from 1.4 percent. Economists had forecast a 1.2 percent increase. Sales have increased for the 52nd consecutive month.

Excluding auto fuel, retail sales gained 2.8 percent versus July's 1.7 percent increase. This was much faster than the expected 1.4 percent.