Rises in UK retail sales and business activity boost Covid-19 recovery hopes
by Richard Partington and Phillip Inman from Economics | The Guardian on (#563MZ)
Consumer spending recovers near pre-pandemic levels but UK still on course for recession
Hopes of a rapid recovery in Britain's economy from the coronavirus lockdown have been boosted by a summer rebound in retail sales and the strongest monthly growth in business activity for five years.
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics showed retail sales rose by 13.9% in June compared with May as pent-up demand among consumers returned overall spending close to pre-pandemic levels.
Related: UK retail sales beat forecasts in June after lockdown eased - business live
Continue reading...