Annual growth in retail sales values had continued at a slow pace. Consumer services turnover had also increased a little on a year earlier. • The strengthening in housing market activity seen in recent months had continued. • Investment intentions had remained very modest, though had strengthened a little in the services sector. • Moderate growth in export volumes had continued, and to an expanding range of countries. • Manufacturing output, both for export and domestic markets, had continued to grow slowly. • Output of business services had edged higher. • Falls in construction sector output had shown signs of ... (full story)