Continuing a sustained period of year-on-year growth, the volume of retail sales in March 2016 is estimated to have increased by 2.7% compared with March 2015. This was the 35th consecutive month of year-on-year growth. The underlying pattern in the data, as suggested by the 3 month on 3 month movement in the quantity bought, showed growth for the 28th consecutive month, increasing by 0.8%. Compared with February 2016, the quantity bought in the retail industry is estimated to have decreased by 1.3%. Average store prices (including petrol stations) fell by 3.0% in March 2016 compared with March 2015, the 21st ... (full story)