British annual retail sales growth unexpectedly picked up pace this month, a survey by the Confederation of British Industry said on Wednesday. The CBI distributive trades survey's retail sales balance rose in August to +24 from +21 in July and above economists' forecasts of +18. Sales expectations for September were +35, up from +13 in August. Official figures released this month showed British retail sales rose by less than expected in July, hit by a fall in the sales of auto fuels. The Bank of England has said it is increasingly looking at domestic pressures as it gages when to raise interest rates, at a time when ... (full story)