UK retail sales were flat in February as food and fuel sellers saw a decline during the month, figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show.
Sales showed growth of 0.0% last month, down from growth of 3.6% in January. Although this was ahead of expectations for a 0.4% decline, the ONS said.
Meanwhile, online sales grew during the month, especially for clothing, as wet weather throughout February affected footfall at bricks and mortar stores.
The ONS said clothing and department store sales rose because of new collections but this was offset by falls in food stores and fuel retailers.
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ONS Senior Statistician Heather Bovill said: “Retail sales were flat in February. There was growth in clothing, which rebounded after recent falls as people invested in the new season’s collections, as well as department stores.
“However, these were offset by falls in fuel sales, possibly affected by rising prices, and a reduction in food sales.
“Many shops told us that the wet weather hit in store sales, with online instead seeing a boost.”
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