Retail sales in the year to February fell at modest pace following a sharp drop last month, according to the latest quarterly CBI Distributive Trades Survey. This marked the slowest decline in year-on-year sales over the ten-month run of falls so far. Looking ahead, though, sales are set to contract at a somewhat faster pace next month. Retailers also reported that selling price inflation in the year to February moderated to its lowest since May 2021. Employment in the sector fell again in a run that stretches back six quarters, and firms said that they plan to reduce investment for the eighth consecutive quarterly ... (full story)