Retail trade in the UK decreased by 0.3 per cent in December compared to the previous month, according to the statistics agency ONS. This can be compared to the increase of 0.1 per cent in November, according to revised figures.
In annual terms, December sales increased by 3.6 per cent, up from 0.5 per cent growth in November.
Analysts had expected an increase of 0.4 per cent compared to the previous month and 4.6 per cent in annual terms, according to a compilation of forecasts made by Bloomberg.
